Trnka: Government Audit Confirms No Wrongdoing in Biodiversity Project (2)

Kosice, August 1 (TASR) - A government audit in the project of Kosice self-governing region for the protection and restoration of biodiversity in the forests around Dobsina and Gelnica found no errors and public money was used purposefully and transparently, Kosice region head Rastislav Trnka said on Friday in response to a police investigation into the biodiversity project and accusations that the work wasn't carried out in full and millions of euros in damage were incurred. Trnka again rejected the accusations of misuse of EU funds and criticised the procedure of the police investigation, pointing to the results of the government audit as well as previous audits of the project by the Environment Ministry. "Quite simply, no wrongdoing was found in this case. This means that the expenses were legal, justified, correctly accounted for and all Kosice region's moves were in accordance with the relevant legislation," Trnka told a press conference, noting that no conflicts of interest were found either. Kosice region reported that the Government Audit Office had examined the project in detail and the audit was carried out by 15 experts in accordance with the applicable law. They checked everything from accounts and expenses, through tenders for contractors, to works in the forests near Gelnica and Dobsina. According to Kosice region, 25 experts worked on the project, including 18 external and seven from the region. They were specialists in various fields - subsoil and soil research, geology, water management, environment, geodesy and nature conservation. "It is striking and sad that a project backed by 25 experts is being disparaged by non-experts and lay people. I respect the control mechanisms of the state, but this already looks like bullying by investigators who haven't even bothered to get their concepts right. The investigator confused the size of the land registry areas with the size of the implemented measures," said Trnka. The police reported on 10 July that they took action in the districts of Kosice and Zvolen (Banska Bystrica region) as part of an operation called Colombia. The investigation concerns a serious crime of damaging the financial interests of the European Union (EU) and a subsidy fraud. According to the police, despite the fact that the work wasn't carried out to the agreed extent and on the declared area, the full amount was paid to the contractor. The damage incurred allegedly amounted to about €3.9 million. Spokesman for the Police Corps Presidium Roman Hajek told TASR that the acts implemented as part of the Colombia operation were carried out lawfully, on the basis of the orders of the Specialised Criminal Court (STS) and under the supervision of the European delegated prosecutor. "Their purpose is to seize evidence that may confirm or refute suspicions regarding the project. The materials obtained are currently the subject of an expert examination. Only after its completion will it be possible to assess whether a crime was committed," stated the spokesman, pointing out that the police have a legal obligation to investigate the matter impartially and thoroughly. "We don't comment on the statements of the defence, as the assessment of their claims is the responsibility of the prosecutor's office and the courts," added Hajek. am/mcs