The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Romania has announced the indictment of three individuals following an investigation into the fraud of European funds intended for the modernization of irrigation systems. The suspects are accused of improperly obtaining 1.2 million euros out of a total of approximately 4 million euros, granted as non-reimbursable funds by the Agency for the Financing of Rural Investments (AFIR) for four projects in Vâlcea County.
The investigation revealed the use of false or inaccurate documents both when submitting funding applications and during the implementation of the projects. Most of the advanced funds were used for personal interest by the beneficiaries, not for the declared purposes. If found guilty, the defendants face prison sentences ranging from two to seven years.
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