The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) announced on April 19 that it has launched the investigation on the alleged abuse of European Union funds in Slovakia, first discovered by Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak, the TASR newswire wrote, citing the Politico weekly website.
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In mid-February, Kuciak was murdered along with his fiancée Martina Kušnírová.
In his last stories – published after his death – he wrote about the alleged connections between the Italian mafia, Slovak politicians and subsidies involving the drawing of EU agricultural subsidies in Slovakia.
Wrongdoing unveiled by murdered journalist
We can confirm that after a preliminary scrutinising of the available information, OLAF has now started the administrative investigation of possible abuse of EU funds in Slovak agriculture, OLAF wrote in a press statement, cited by TASR. The investigation is connected to issues that recently surfaced thanks to the work of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak, the office added through its spokesman.
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OLAF decided to launch the investigation after it arrived at “sufficient suspicion of law violations during a preliminary study".
Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer) is not concerned about OLAF launching this investigation, he told TASR on April 20. Pellegrini maintains that the Anti-Fraud Office takes action in every country as soon as it receives a complaint.
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24. Apr 2018 at 15:39 | Compiled by Spectator staff
