SLOVAKIA's anti-corruption unit arrested seven people suspected of tax fraud worth Sk230 million (€5.7 million) Interior Minister Vladimír Palko said on March 15.
According to the minister, a nine-member group headed by 29-year-old Peter P, a Bratislava municipal MP, founded at least 21 companies in various towns of Slovakia that were registered as value-added tax payers in the past six years.
Through fictitious invoices, the companies claimed returns of value-added tax from tax offices though these business transactions were never conducted, Palko said.
The case investigator charged the detained seven with establishing a criminal group, evading taxes and premiums, and blackmail.
Peter P is also under prosecution in a case of tunnelling during the construction of the nuclear plant in Mochovce.
The group's remaining two members are still at large, and one is believed to be abroad.
