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EPPO investigations into COVID-19-related frauds become increasingly important. On 29/30 September 2021, the EPPO conducted searches in Austria as part of a cross-border investigations into customs fraud in relation to the import of FFP2 masks from China to the EU. The investigations are led by …

In a discussion with MEPs of the Budgetary Control Committee on 1 October 2021, European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi stressed the staff shortages, which prevent the EPPO from effectively fulfilling its duties. Kövesi reported on the first results of EPPO’s activities since its operational …

On 1 September 2021, the General Court annulled the decision of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) not to grant (partial) access to its final investigation report.

On 6 September 2021, the European Commission published a report that assesses deficits as regards the Member States’ legislation implementing Directive 2017/1371 on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law (the “PIF Directive”). In general, the Commission concluded that all Member States have transposed the PIF Directive’s main provisions. However, there are outstanding conformity issues.

On 8 and 17 September 2021, the EPPO reported on two cases in which the Office successfully cooperated with the Guardia di Finanza in Italy.

On 3 September 2021, the EPPO and the European Court of Auditors (ECA) signed a working arrangement. Both bodies emphasise their common interest in the effective fight against fraud, corruption and any other criminal offence or illegal activity adversely affecting the EU’s financial …

In a legal opinion, published on 7 July 2021, experts call on the Commission to trigger the new Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 with respect to Hungary. They presented a draft written notification by means of which the Commission can initiate the procedure to suspend EU funds pursuant to Art. 6 of the Regulation.

On 16 September 2021, the Commission presented a recommendation that sets out guidance for Member States to take effective, appropriate and proportionate measures to ensure the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists.

Partners of the AWARE network developed an e-learning course on “Implementing the European Arrest Warrant (EAW): Promoting Human Rights”. The course is designed for judges and prosecutors (estimated duration: 5h). A circumscribed version is aimed at judicial practitioners, including lawyers, NGOs, academia and researchers …

The Commission proposed a recast of Regulation 2015/847 dealing with the traceability of funds. The scope of the Regulation should be extended to transfers of crypto-assets, thus making EU legislation compliant with recommendations of the FATF.