RIGA, April 15 (LETA) - The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Riga has completed pre-trial investigation of a possible fraud involving European Union funds in Valka Municipality, where one of the suspects is Valka Mayor Vents Armands Krauklis (Vidzeme Party), LETA learned on Wednesday.

Three individuals, including two municipal officials, one of which is Krauklis, have been formally charged with fraud and abuse of office.

It is alleged that the public officials, together with representatives of a private company, committed illegal actions in order to obtain close to EUR 700,000 in public funds, of which EUR 670,000 from the European Regional Development Fund and around EUR 23,000 from Latvia's state budget, for a project implemented by the municipality.

Under the terms of the project, an industrial building was to be constructed and made publicly available for general use by companies. However, the evidence indicates that the structure was built in the interest of a previously determined company.

In addition, the facility was built on a land parcel that did not qualify as a degraded territory eligible for revitalization, as required by the project, but was selected due to its proximity to the company's existing structure - in breach of the conditions for the implementation of the project. It is understood that the firm was also involved in the design of the building.

The case will be referred to court in the near future.