The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has decided to conduct an investigation in Hungary despite the opposition of the national lawyer General. Budapest has never agreed to join the EPPO – however, the law enforcement agency wants to start the action.
This is simply a possible embezzlement of EU funds in the construction of a forest footbridge. The case may be groundbreaking due to the fact that it concerns EPPO's powers to analyse fraud in non-member countries.
Hungary as 1 of the 3 EU countries does not belong to EPPO. For this reason, this EU body fighting crimes against the financial interests of the EU initially refused to deal with the case erstwhile in February of this year, the Hungarian Transparency global branch reported on the alleged embezzlement of money during the construction of the footbridge. However, in July EPPO changed its head and launched an investigation...
– This case may prove to be groundbreaking due to the fact that it will “show” that the EPPO has the power to analyse fraud in Hungary, although these are not its members said PAP Miklos Ligeti of the Hungarian Transparency Branch.
The case concerns a 50-metre-long covered footbridge on which the construction of the mayor of Nyirmartonfalva village in east Hungary obtained EU backing of 64 million forints (approximately EUR 165 000). It was intended to let users to admire the surrounding forest – while during the construction of the footbridge trees were cut. According to Ligeti, 2 specified facilities were built around the same village.
Hungary's lawyer General responded to the EPPO investigation. In a letter dated 2 August, he opposed the investigation in the Hungarian territory, arguing that his country did not belong to the EPPO. He pointed out that the regulation governing the operation of that institution ‘clearly defines’ the scope of its power and so cannot take action in Hungary on a crime committed by a Hungarian citizen.
When asked by PAP about Budapest's opposition, the European Public Prosecutor's Office pointed out that it must "take a decision on the exercise of its powers in the event of fraud involving EU funds, even erstwhile it occurred in a country not belonging to the EPPO or the Union". These are cases where a crime occurs "outside the EPPO zone", but harm occurs in Belgium or Luxembourg, where EU institutions with European money are established.
In consequence to the objections, EPPO besides referred to a cooperation agreement signed with the Hungarian lawyer General in 2021. specified agreements are concluded by an EU law enforcement authority with countries that are not members of it but receive EU funding.
Ligeti told PAP that the issue of building a footbridge was dealt with by the Hungarian prosecutor, but nothing has happened since the initiation of the proceedings.
A dispute with EPPO may not be at the hands of Hungary, which Eurocrats want to deprive EU funds. In order to partially unlock them, the Budapest government agreed to carry out the reforms that the European Commission expected, including in the fight against corruption. In fresh years, the Hungarian lawyer General has praised his "excellent" relations with both EPPO and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in his reports.
Hungary has utilized the alleged conditionality mechanics to block money from the EU budget. It is simply a tool for Eurocrats to discipline countries that disagree with their left-wing policies.
(PAP)/ study. FA
