Brussels, 25/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - European Ombudsman Nikiforos Diamandouros has criticised the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) for not respecting the principle of the presumption of innocence in an investigation. This follows a complaint from a British consultant, who was involved in EU-funded projects. He argued that letters sent by OLAF to his former and current employers implied that he was responsible for serious irregularities. This seriously damaged his reputation.
OLAF replied that the letters only requested information and did not cast any suspicion on the complainant. The Ombudsman, however, concluded that OLAF had indeed used incriminating language in its letters. He took the view that OLAF failed to respect the principles of fairness, proportionality and the presumption of innocence.
The full text of the decision can be found at: http: //http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/cases/decision. faces/en/3831/html.bookmark (O.J./transl.rt)