(Luxembourg, 25 July 2023) – A freezing order of €141 000 has been executed today, in an investigation into fraud involving Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funds, coordinated by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Venice (Italy).
The freezing order was issued on 11 July 2023 by the judge for preliminary investigations of the Court of Padua against seven individuals, for sums allegedly unduly received from 2017 to 2022. This judicial measure was executed by the EPPO Section of the Carabinieri of Venice and the Carabinieri Forestry Group of Brescia.
The suspects are believed to have used false documentation certifying the ownership of land that they did not own – including state-owned land –, in order to obtain undue payments of CAP funds.
The judge of the Court of Padua also ordered the seizure of the titles of CAP rights held by two of the suspects, both farmers, based in Padua and Desenzano del Garda.
All persons concerned are presumed to be 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.