(Luxembourg, 13 October 2025) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Venice (Italy) has formally named six individuals as suspects, including three Bosnian public officials, in connection with alleged cross-border corruption in a construction project for the Pan-European Motorway Corridor, which connects Hungary and eastern Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Adriatic Sea.
The investigation concerns a 35-kilometre section between Medakovo and Poprikuše, part of a €4 million consultancy project within the broader €340 million motorway construction. The overall project is financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) for 87% and by the national budget of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the remaining 13%. The investigation was launched after the EIB reported to the EPPO suspicions of manipulation in the procurement process for consultancy services related to the motorway, allegedly favouring an Italian company based in Verona.
The investigation, conducted by the Carabinieri in Venice, found that three public officials from the Bosnian contracting authority allegedly took coordinated actions to secure the contract for the Italian company. The officials are suspected of replacing the evaluation committee, redrafting the technical evaluation report, and directing the company to adjust its financial proposal to obtain the highest ranking. This was allegedly done in return for financial and other benefits.
In September 2024, searches were conducted at the offices and premises of the Italian suspects to obtain evidence. In 2025, close cooperation with the competent judicial and law enforcement authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina enabled additional hearings and other investigative measures in Sarajevo, in coordination with the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA). Recently, the Bosnian suspects have been informed of the charges against them and about their procedural rights.
In November 2023, the EPPO and the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina (POBiH) concluded a working arrangement to facilitate cooperation and exchange of information.
All persons concerned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent Italian 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.