Skip to main content
European Union flag
English
The independent public prosecution office of the EU
Report a crime

Further convictions in Germany in cross-border VAT evasion case

Published on

Originally published on 09 December 2022

Updated on 04 April 2023

In November 2021, six people were arrested in Czechia, Romania and Slovakia on suspicion of forming a criminal organisation and evading taxes. All of the suspects have been convicted in the meantime, with the final conviction on 6 March 2023. 

The first suspect was already convicted six months after the arrest, and sentenced to three years and three months of imprisonment, with the court ordering a confiscation of more than €170 000. Real estate, an apartment in Slovakia and nine weapons were seized.

Later in 2022, the second and third convictions took place. One of the accused, who was also the head of the criminal organisation, was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison. The court made a confiscation order of over €10 million, of which €1 million was seized from his bank accounts and in the form of real estate in Slovakia. The other accused was sentenced to four years and three months of imprisonment. Another confiscation order of more than €10 million was requested by the court, and €1 million was seized from her bank accounts and real estate in Slovakia. There is an appeal pending.

The fourth conviction took place in June 2022; the accused was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, and the court ordered a confiscation of over €14 400. The fifth suspect was convicted in November 2022 and will have to go to prison for three years and eight months, and over €13 200 will be confiscated from him.

Last month (6 March 2023), the sixth suspect was convicted. He was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, and over €20 000 will be confiscated from him. The judgment is not final yet.

You can find out more about this case here.