The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Zagreb (Croatia) has opened an investigation into possible irregularities involving the public procurement procedure for the construction of a €1.2 million waste sorting plant in the city of Mali Lošinj, co-financed by the EU.
The suspects include an official of the city administration and the manager of a utility company co-owned by the municipality, who are under investigation for possible abuse of office and authority and aiding and abetting. The two are suspected of having manipulated public procurement procedures to favour a specific construction company, in connection to a project to construct and equip the Kalvarija waste sorting plant, co-financed by the Cohesion Fund through the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014–2020, with 85% of eligible costs covered.
The suspects allegedly tailored both the project and tender documentation to match the company’s technology and certifications, and even allowed it to influence responses to technical queries from other bidders.
By restricting competition, the process ensured that the construction company was able to submit the only valid bid within the deadline, amounting to €2 270 093.46, including VAT. As a result, its bid was deemed the most favorable, leading to the awarding of the contract to the pre-selected company.
The aforementioned facts were established during the pre-investigation phase, based on which the EPPO issued a decision to open an investigation, as a formal procedural step in accordance with Croatian criminal procedure law.
All persons involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent Croatian courts.
The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.
