Police in Limassol today arrested five people in connection with the misappropriation of €72,000 in EU funds from Cyprus’ Department of Merchant Shipping, reports say.
A 42-year-old man was detained, who works in the department and was responsible for awarding tenders for research programmes funded by the EU, the Cyprus Mail reports.
His 26-year-old wife was also arrested, along with three female foreign nationals aged 34, 33, and 24.
The companies created by the detained man were allegedly assigned eight different EU programmes and employed his wife and the three other women. Collectively, the companies received €72,000 through the Merchant Shipping department.
Police told the Mail the suspects are being investigated in connection with conspiracy to commit a felony, fraud, abuse of power and money laundering. They will appear in court on Friday.
