NINE people have been accused following the police action dubbed ‘Sneh’ (Snow). They are accused of having evaded taxes totalling €6.7 million. Two tax officers from Trnava Region were members of the group as well, the police announced on December 9.
“Through at least 10 companies this group was claiming ungrounded excessive VAT deduction worth about €900,000, and also participating in evading tax duties,” Police Corps President Tibor Gašpar told a press conference as quoted by the SITA newswire.
The police operation that uncovered the group took place on December 2 and resulted in eight people being detained. The ninth person who was accused in the case is currently in Finland, SITA wrote. The charges include founding and supporting an organised criminal group, tax fraud, and in the case of the two tax officers, abusing the powers of public officials.
The members of the group are facing seven to 12 years in prison if proven guilty.
“The Snow action has a symbolic character of cleansing the financial administration,” the Financial Administration head František Imrecze said, as quoted by SITA. The companies that the group used to claim excessive tax deductions were mainly involved in real estate development: fictitious wood cutting, sale of plots, and various types of fictitious construction activities.
The police announced they were ready to inform about another similar case later this week, according to the public service Slovak Radio.
Source: SITA, SRo
Compiled by Michaela Terenzani from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
