EU prosecutor opens criminal probe into Czech PM | Euractiv

Babiš insists he complies with both Czech and EU law

PRAGUE – EU prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš over his alleged offences to the EU’s financial interests, just as he helps negotiate the bloc’s next long-term budget.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is examining whether Agrofert, the agrochemical conglomerate founded by Babiš, improperly continued receiving billions of Czech crowns in EU agricultural subsidies despite longstanding concerns over his ties to the company.

The news was first reported by Czech outlet Seznam Zprávy. “The EPPO can confirm that it is conducting an investigation,” an EPPO spokesperson told Euractiv. “No further information can be disclosed at this stage, in order not to endanger the outcome of the ongoing proceedings,” they added.

According to documents obtained by Seznam Zprávy, European Delegated Prosecutor Daniela Bártíková formally opened criminal proceedings on 24 May over suspected offences affecting the EU’s financial interests.