(Luxembourg, 14 April 2026) – The Vilnius City District Court (Lithuania) has convicted the members of an organised crime group in a fraudulent scheme involving EU and national funds intended for young farmers, following charges brought by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Vilnius.
This judgment marks the conclusion of proceedings against 26 individuals involved in a large-scale fraud scheme.
Four organisers were found guilty and fined a total of €150 000. In addition, 22 perpetrators in the scheme pleaded guilty and fully compensated the EU and Lithuanian budgets for the damage caused, amounting to approximately €500 000. The court granted them a conditional exemption from criminal liability under simplified criminal proceedings. In addition, €34 000 was confiscated from the defendants and they were ordered to pay €37 000 into the Crime Victims Fund.
The investigation…
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