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European prosecutors investigate Czech PM Babis subsidy case, report says
The probe follows a February complaint over allegedly unrecovered EU funds and questions about whether Andrej Babiš fully severed ties to Agrofert.
- On Tuesday, European prosecutors opened an investigation into EU subsidy payments to companies formerly owned by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, following a petition filed by the opposition Pirate Party.
- Investigators are examining whether Czech authorities should have sought repayment of about $342 million in subsidies paid while Babis was prime minister from 2017 to 2021, after he transferred Agrofert into a trust fund.
- Prosecutor Daniela Bartikova issued a decision on May 24, 2026, initiating criminal proceedings regarding "the failure to recover unlawfully paid subsidies," while the European Public Prosecutor referred the case to the National Organised Crime Agency.
- Agrofert spokesman Pavel Heřmanský stated the conglomerate is not a target of the probe, arguing submissions are motivated by political interests, while the National Organised Crime Agency said it is "dealing with the matter."
- European Commission officials continue evaluating whether the Czech government has taken adequate steps to sever Babis' links to the company, though the opening of an investigation does not imply wrongdoing and may not result in charges.
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Prosecutors from the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), led by Laura Codruța Kovesi, have opened an investigation into the use of European funds by companies previously owned by the current Czech populist premier Andrej Babis, reports on Tuesday on the news website Seznam Zpravy, reports TVPWorld.
·Bucharest, Romania
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 38%
12%
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