She stated that out of the mentioned 33 cases, three are related to value added tax (VAT) crimes, as a result of which Latvia could have incurred losses in the amount of 41.3 million euros. Last year, in total, the EPPO started investigations in 16 cases.
Keveši emphasized that money laundering occurs in all EU countries, but not all investigation rates are the same. She appreciates Latvia’s desire to investigate cases quickly and creatively, as well as fearlessly, as Latvian law enforcement authorities also initiate investigations against political and influential persons. This testifies to the professionalism of the investigators and the ability to adapt to the existing conditions.
Latvian law enforcement authorities have positive experience in combating tax evasion, the prosecutor admitted, adding that this knowledge could also be transferred to other EU member states.
She pointed out that in the long term, problems with the availability of human resources could arise in Latvia, especially among investigators – there could be a lack of investigators who are really able to investigate cases with high quality. After discussing the existing problems with the officials of the Ministry of the Interior, Keveši is in a positive mood, because Latvia has a plan to solve this lack of human resources.
The prosecutor also assessed Latvian legislation positively. Currently, however, there are various problems with the definition of crimes, which can lead to misinterpretation. The prosecutor also sees an opportunity to make Latvian laws and processes a little simpler and more transparent.
The most common cases of money laundering and criminal offenses in the EU are in the agricultural and information technology sectors. In Latvia, slightly more than the EU average, VAT crimes have been recorded, but in general, Latvia does not stand out against the EU background with anything drastically negative.
Kevesi pointed out that in the last three years, the number of crimes involving embezzlement of EU budget funds has increased in the EU. Criminals are becoming more and more creative, several companies are created that cover each other, which creates a large chain of crimes.
The prosecutor expressed her regret that over several years, the issue of money laundering was not brought up to an appropriate level in the EU. Every year, the EU loses around 15 billion euros, and this is money that should flow into the national budgets of the EU countries.
She is convinced that every case should be investigated diligently. It may take more resources and time, but it is important not only to accuse and convict the person, but also to return the lost funds to the EU and national budgets.
Also, the chief prosecutor of the EPPO is satisfied that the public’s involvement in the EPPO is quite large – the prosecutor’s office receives several hundred reports from people every year, and this is more than from law enforcement agencies.
Public trust in the EPPO is vital because the public notices suspicious things, Keveši is convinced.
2024-09-12 21:40:27