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EU Prosecutors Arrest 21 Croatians Over Farm Subsidy Fraud

5/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

On May 6, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office arrested 21 Croatian nationals, including officials, in a probe of EU agricultural-subsidy fraud.
Police began gathering evidence on Wednesday in central counties while EPPO seized devices for forensic analysis, warning further arrests are possible.
The scheme used falsified land-ownership declarations and inflated pastureland applications, prompting Agriculture Minister David Vlajcic to pledge reforms of the payment agency and ARKOD system to protect EU funds.

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Story summary

On May 6, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office arrested 21 Croatian nationals, including officials, in a probe of EU agricultural-subsidy fraud.
Police began gathering evidence on Wednesday in central counties while EPPO seized devices for forensic analysis, warning further arrests are possible.
The scheme used falsified land-ownership declarations and inflated pastureland applications, prompting Agriculture Minister David Vlajcic to pledge reforms of the payment agency and ARKOD system to protect EU funds.