(Luxembourg, 10 September 2025) – At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Prague (Czechia), the Czech Police’s National Organised Crime Agency (NCOZ) arrested nine persons and carried out 17 searches yesterday in the regions of Pilsen and Prague. This is part of an investigation into procurement fraud and subsidy fraud involving the modernisation of a school kitchen and a major investment project in the Pilsen Region.
It is alleged that procurement fraud was committed in public tenders organised by two public entities in the Pilsen Region between 2022 to 2025. The tender, co-financed by the Operational Programme Environment (OPE), was destined for the modernisation of a school kitchen.
The investigation also concerns public procurement for preparatory works on a major investment project in the Pilsen Region, concerning the reconstruction of the building of the former municipal bath in Pilsen, intended to be supported by EU funds, as well as mismanagement within the publicly owned company responsible for implementing the project.
In both cases, it is believed that the tendering procedures were manipulated to favour pre-selected bidders. As a result, over €250 000 in EU funds were allegedly defrauded, and damage exceeding €600 000 may have been caused by the investigated criminal activity to other victims.
Six individuals and two legal entities have been charged with procurement fraud and subsidy fraud in connection with these tenders, while three additional individuals have been charged with fraud linked to the mismanagement of the publicly owned company.
All persons concerned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent Czech courts of law.
The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.