The number of economic crimes committed by criminal groups increased last year and caused significant financial damage to the state, according to the report by the Slovak Information Service (SIS) intelligence agency. SIS focused mostly on VAT-related fraud and fraud linked to excise taxes on oil, alcohol and tobacco, the TASR newswire reported on November 3.
“Extensive networks of companies were set up in Slovakia and abroad for the purpose of committing economic crimes, so SIS cooperated in the investigation with its partner intelligence services,” reads the report, as quoted by TASR.
SIS also reported it informed the government, parliament and president about the cooperation of criminal groups with representatives of the state administration, local authorities, courts and prosecutor’s offices. The cooperation was mostly aimed at gaining an advantage in court trials, acquiring property from local authorities or contracts for their legal businesses.
“These links negatively affected investigations, national security, financial management of towns and cities and the economic interests of the state,” SIS stated.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
5. Nov 2012 at 14:00
