In an interview with the Slovak Denník N, Kövesiová pointed out that, according to current statistics, Slovakia is an important transit point for the flow of money from criminal activities. Damages in the cases currently under investigation amount to approximately 900 million euros (roughly 21.8 billion crowns), with half of this amount attributable to VAT fraud.
“Slovakia has become one of the main centers for VAT fraud in the EU. A third of our cases are linked to Slovak citizens or companies,” the European prosecutor emphasized.
The prosecutor pointed out that Slovakia is often only a destination or transit state within organized criminal networks operating across Europe. The investigation of most of the cases opened in Slovakia was started on the basis of information from other countries, for example from Germany or Italy, where the level of fraud detection is significantly higher.
According to Kövesiová, the problem is the lack of specialized investigators and the low level of detection and reporting of cases. The EPPO demands that cooperation with the financial administration and the police be strengthened, the number of financial investigators be increased and access to the detection of organized financial crime be improved.
Legislative changes and criticism from Brussels
The reduction of penalties for economic crimes and changes in the functioning of specialized units, such as the National Criminal Agency (NAKA) and the Special Prosecutor’s Office (ÚSP), are evaluated by Kövesiová as a negative shift in the fight against crime. According to her, the European Commission criticized the changes in criminal legislation in Slovakia.
In the case of criminal acts damaging the financial interests of the EU, stricter penalties have been maintained, but the embezzlement of national public finances is currently punished more lightly in Slovakia.
Juraj Novocké’s mandate as the European Prosecutor for Slovakia ends next year. Slovakia has not yet chosen his successor. Kövesiová called on the Slovak authorities to speed up the selection and ensure the stable functioning of the EPPO office.
