The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Cluj-Napoca (Romania) is carrying out nine searches today in Mures County, in an investigation into a possible subsidy fraud involving projects for beekeeping and the processing of honey, financed by the EU. The searches are being conducted at the homes of four individuals and at the headquarters of companies under investigation. At issue are two projects worth €140 000 (RON 696 416) in non-reimbursable funds to support the purchase of beehives, bee colonies and the processing of honey, financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and managed by Romania’s Agency for Financing Rural Investments (AFIR). One of the projects was meant to support young farmers and the other to develop existing bee farms. According to the investigation, a beekeeper colluded with three individuals who met the eligibility conditions for being beneficiaries, in order to submit an application in their names and obtain the funds for himself. The evidence also shows that the three individuals did not carry out the activities required to obtain the grant for existing bee farms. In order to create the appearance of such a farm, they are believed to have used beehives and equipment that belonged to the beekeeper. The investigation and searches counted on the support of the EPPO Support Structure in Romania – Cluj-Napoca EPPO Office (Structura de sprijin a procurorilor europeni delegati în Romania – Biroul Teritorial Cluj-Napoca), the Mures County Police Inspectorate – Economic Crime Investigation Service and Forensic Service (Inspectoratul de Politie Judetean Mures – Serviciul de investigare a criminalitatii economice si Serviciul Criminalistic) as well as the Targu Mures Special Operations Brigade (Brigada de Operatiuni Speciale) and the Romanian Gendarmerie (Jandarmeria Romana - Gruparea Mobila de Jandarmi Targu-Mures). All persons involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent Romanian courts of law. 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.
President Nicușor Dan has nominated Senate president Ilie Bolojan, a leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and former interim president, for the prime minister seat. Dan said Bolojan is “the best person to carry out the needed adjustments in the state administration.” He pointed to Bolojan’s track record with reducing spending, and said he has […]
Balkanik Festival – Home of World Music, set to take place at Uranus Garden between September 5 and September 7, lines up this year artists who "celebrate that form of joy that does not ignore reality, but faces it with beauty, energy, and solidarity," the organizers said. The artists performing in September in Bucharest will […]
The mayor of Timișoara, Dominic Fritz, announced on Friday, June 20, that two new bridges over the Bega River will be built in the city. The bridges will be financed with EU-backed funds worth over RON 130 million. The bridges in question are the Solventul Bridge, which will connect Gării Street to Dâmbovița Boulevard and […]
A Sarmatian necropolis nearly 2,000 years old was discovered after archaeological excavations were carried out at the Mehala II site in the municipality of Timișoara, in western Romania. Researchers discovered 15 inhumation graves, most arranged in rectangular pits with rounded corners, although some no longer retain their original outline, having been disturbed by the passage […]
The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra will deliver on June 26 a concert marking Romania Day at the Osaka World Expo. Additionally, the Bucharest-based orchestra will present a series of other concerts and recitals, both within the Romanian Pavilion and outside, at Toyonara Hall in Osaka. The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra's concerts will be conducted by […]
Sphera Franchise Group, the largest food service group in Romania, has opened its first Cioccolatitaliani store in the seaside resort of Riccione, in Italy’s Rimini tourist area. This marks the official launch of Sphera Group’s development plan for the premium Italian brand of coffee, gelato, and pastry. Under the plan, it will open four locations […]
