(Luxembourg, 25 September 2025) – The Police Directorate Ljubljana carried out searches this week in an investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Ljubljana (Slovenia), involving the purchase of medical equipment, including protective masks, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ongoing investigation concerns suspected subsidy fraud and falsification of business documents, in which beneficiary companies are alleged to have deceptively obtained at least €255 000 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and €100 000 from national funds.
It is believed that between August and October 2020, the suspect and his company acted as representatives of around 130 companies and submitted applications to a public call by the Public Fund of the Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship for the reimbursement of the purchase of protective equipment.
According to the investigation, the suspects falsified documents to prove that they had purchased Covid-19 protective equipment to be eligible for the reimbursement of costs, whereas in reality, said equipment had not been purchased at the moment of the applications.
The investigation further suggests that the suspects agreed with the companies, on whose behalf the applications were submitted, that they would use false documents to show the apparent prior purchase and supply of the protective equipment.
In order to collect further evidence relevant to the investigation, the Police Directorate Ljubljana (Policijska uprava Ljubljana) carried out searches, targeting the suspect’s residence, the suspected company’s premises, and vehicles.
All persons concerned are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent courts of law in Slovenia.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (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.