08/04/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 8 April, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) announced the arrest of seven suspects in the Czech Republic, including three civil servants, in a case of European subsidy fraud involving €13.5 million. The dismantling of the organised crime network was led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Brno, which acted with the support of the national authorities, and led to 13 searches, including at the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade. More than €2 million and a building were seized. The investigation concerns funds from the operational programme ‘Enterprise and Innovation for Competitiveness’ (OP EIC), which were allegedly obtained illegally - with the assistance of senior civil servants - for the development of an innovation centre designed to house start-ups and scientific companies or projects. The suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. (NP)