The EU Prosecutor's Office is investigating fraud involving the procurement of medical equipment in Romania during the pandemic

The European Union’s Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into a €1.5 million fraud scheme related to public procurement of medical equipment during the pandemic. The suspects are accused of bribing officials at the Brașov County Hospital to win the tender. 

This is stated in a press release from the office.

According to the investigation, the terms of the tender were artificially tailored to a specific company, and public officials allegedly received bribes amounting to 5% of the contract value. As part of the case, law enforcement officials conducted a series of searches in Bucharest, Brașov, and Mureș, seizing documents and equipment. The investigation aims to protect the EU’s financial interests and combat corruption in the healthcare sector.

This case is part of broader efforts by European institutions to monitor the use of funds allocated to address crisis situations. Strengthening oversight of public procurement remains a priority for the region’s stability, especially against the backdrop of economic challenges caused by Russian aggression. Investigations are ongoing to identify all participants in the criminal scheme and determine the extent of the damages caused.

In Latvia, military personnel who stole €340,000 worth of property from army warehouses over a 10-year period will face trial.

Eurojust announced the referral to court of cases against members of a terrorist group that carried out a series of arson attacks in the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania to disrupt aid to Ukraine.