The Role of the EPPO in Combating Crime in the Cultural Sector: The Case of the Regional Museum in Olomouc
cytuj
pobierz pliki
RIS BIB ENDNOTEChoose format
RIS BIB ENDNOTEPublication date: 18.12.2024
Santander Art and Culture Law Review, 2024, 2/2024 (10), pp. 295 - 306
https://doi.org/10.4467/2450050XSNR.24.023.20834Authors
The Role of the EPPO in Combating Crime in the Cultural Sector: The Case of the Regional Museum in Olomouc
This article addresses the role of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to judgment the perpetrators of, and accomplices to, criminal offences affecting the financial interests of the European Union (EU) in the cultural sector. While focusing on the case of the subsidy and procurement fraud, passive corruption, and money laundering in the case of the Regional Museum in Olomouc (Czech Republic), the article aims to elucidate the current mandate and expectations with respect to the EPPO in relation to the prosecution of cultural heritage crimes. Accordingly, it recalls the key objectives of the EU Action Plan against Trafficking in Cultural Goods, and considers the potential contribution of the EPPO to the safeguarding of cultural heritage from the threats connected with organized, transnational criminal activities.
Al Shallah S., Lebanese Cultural Heritage in Conflict, 16 November 2024, https://www.steppo-eulaw.com/2024/11/16/lebanese-cultural-heritage-in-conflict/ [accessed: 30.11.2024].
Česká televize, Soud schválil dohodu v kauze zakázek Vlastivědného muzea v Olomouci, potvrdil sankce a podmínky [Court Approves Settlement in the Case of the Regional Museum in Olomouc, Confirms Sanctions and Conditions], 5 April 2024, https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/regiony/soud-schvalil-dohodu-v-kauze-zakazek-vlastivedneho-muzea-v-olomouci-potvrdil-sankce-a-podminky-347855 [accessed: 02.10.2024].
Combatting the Illicit Trade in Cultural Objects: Re-visiting the 2022 EU Action Plan against Trafficking in Cultural Goods. Céline Chazelas-Baur Talks to Antoinette Maget Dominicé and Andrzej Jakubowski, “Santander Art and Culture Law Review” 2023, Vol. 2(9).
Council Regulation (EC) No 1210/2003 of 7 July 2003 concerning certain specific restrictions on economic and financial relations with Iraq and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2465/96, OJ L 169, 8.7.2003, p. 6.
Council Regulation (EU) No 1332/2013 of 13 December 2013 amending Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria, OJ L 335, 14.12.2013, p. 3.
Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’), OJ L 283, 31.10.2017, p. 1.
Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1745 of 24 June 2024 amending Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, OJ L, 2024/1745, 24.6.2024, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1745/oj [accessed: 30.11.2024].
Czech Republic, Judgement of the Regional Court in Ostrava – court branch Olomouc (5 April 2024), Ref. No. 28 T 3/2024-10447.
Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2017 on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law, OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, p. 29.
Directive (EU) 2018/843 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 amending Directive (EU) 2015/849 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing, and amending Directives 2009/138/EC and 2013/36/EU (Text with EEA relevance), OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 43.
European Commission, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the EU Action Plan against Trafficking in Cultural Goods, 13 December 2022, COM(2022) 800 final.
European Commission, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the EU Security Union Strategy, 24 July 2020, COM(2020) 605 final.
European Commission, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the EU Strategy to Tackle Organised Crime 2021-2025, 14 April 2021, COM(2021) 170 final.
European Commission, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the European Council. A Europe that Protects: An Initiative to Extend the Competences of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to Cross-Border Terrorist Crimes. A Contribution from the European Commission to the Leader’s Meeting in Salzburg on 19-20 September 2018, 12 September 2018, COM(2018) 641 final.
European Parliament, Resolution of 25 October 2016 on the Fight against Corruption and Follow-up of the CRIM Resolution, 2015/2110(INI).
European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Bulgaria: EPPO Probes into Church Restoration on Suspicion of Subsidy Fraud, 22 November 2024, https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/media/news/bulgaria-eppo-probes-church-restoration-suspicion-subsidy-fraud [accessed: 30.11.2024].
European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Bulgaria: EPPO Probes into Corruption and Misuse of EU Funding for Restoration of Sofia’s Historic Centre, 31 March 2023, https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/media/news/bulgaria-eppo-probes-corruption-and-misuse-eu-funding-restoration-sofias-historic-centre [accessed: 30.10.2024].
European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Corruption and Manipulation of Public Contracts at Museum in Czechia, 30 November 2024, https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/media/news/corruption-and-manipulation-public-contracts-museum-czechia [accessed: 02.10.2024].
European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Croatia: 29 Suspects Arrested in Investigation Involving University of Zagreb, 8 November 2023, https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/media/news/croatia-29-suspects-arrested-investigation-involving-university-zagreb [accessed: 30.10.2024].
European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Croatia: Former Deputy Minister Arrested in Investigation Involving University of Zagreb, 2 May 2024, https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/media/news/croatia-former-deputy-minister-arrested-investigation-involving-university-zagreb [accessed: 30.10.2024].
European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Czechia: Three Charged in Investigation into Public Contract at the National History Museum in Olomouc, 16 June 2023, https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/media/news/czechia-three-charged-investigation-public-contract-national-history-museum-olomouc [accessed: 02.10.2024].
European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Czechia: Three Plead Guilty to Fraud Involving the National History Museum in Olomouc, 1 February 2024, https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/media/news/czechia-three-plead-guilty-to-fraud-involving-national-history-museum-olomouc [accessed: 02.10.2024].
European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Romania: Company Specialised in Painting Icons Probed over Fraud Allegations, 11 July 2023, https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/media/news/romania-company-specialised-painting-icons-probed-over-fraud-allegations [accessed: 20.11.2024].
Jakubowski A., EPPO’s Investigation into Corruption and Misuse of EU Funds in the Museum Sector, 15 March 2024, https://www.steppo-eulaw.com/2024/03/15/eppos-investigation-into-corruption-and-misuse-of-eu-funds-in-the-museum-sector/ [accessed: 12.10.2024].
Jakubowski A., Participation in Cultural Heritage Governance in the EU: Foundations, Challenges and Socio-Economic Significance, in: E. Psychogiopoulou, S. Schoenmaekers (eds.), European Union Economic Law and Culture: Towards a European Culturally Corrected Market Economy, Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham–Northampton 2024.
Jakubowski A., The Role of EPPO and Criminal Cooperation in Curbing Crimes against Cultural Heritage in the EU, 26 November 2024, https://www.steppo-eulaw.com/2024/11/26/the-role-of-eppo-and-criminal-cooperation-in-curbing-crimes-against-cultural-heritage-in-the-eu [accessed: 30.11.2024].
Mackenzie-Gray Scott R., The European Union’s Approach to Trade Restrictions on Cultural Property: A Trendsetter for the Protection of Cultural Property in Other Regions? “Santander Art and Culture Law Review” 2016, Vol. 2(2).
Marasi F., Jakubowski A., The Role of EPPO in Protecting Cultural Heritage in Armed Conflict: The Case of Ukraine, 14 November 2024, https://www.steppo-eulaw.com/2024/11/14/the-role-of-eppo-in-protecting-cultural-heritage-in-armed-conflict-the-case-ofukraine [accessed: 30.11.2024].
Petr J., EPPO Cases in Data: Examples from Czechia on the (Problematic) Measurement of the Effectiveness of EPPO Investigations, “eucrim” 2023, No. 4 <https://eucrim.eu/articles/eppo-cases-in-data/> [accessed: 09.12.2024].
Regulation (EU) 2019/880 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the introduction and the import of cultural goods, OJ L 151, 7.6.2019, p. 1.
Regulation (EU) 2021/1079 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021: laying down detailed rules for implementing certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2019/880 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the introduction and the import of cultural goods, OJ L 234, 2.7.2021, p. 67.
Rhawi C., Expand EPPO’s Mandate to Stop Russian Oligarchs from Circumventing EU Sanctions, 14 June 2023, “Renew Europe”, https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2023-06-14/expand-eppos-mandate-to-stop-russian-oligarchs-from-circumventing-eu-sanctions [accessed: 10.10.2024].
Ruggieri F., Eurojust and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office: Introduction to a Historic Reform, in: T. Rafaraci, R. Belfiore (eds.), EU Criminal Justice: Fundamental Rights, Transnational Proceedings and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Springer, Cham 2019.
Ružičková V., Harmonisation of Criminal Law across the European Union and the Role of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, “Studia Iuridica Cassoviensia” 2022, Vol. 10(1).
Statutární město Olomouc, Městská památková rezervace Olomouc (MPR Olomouc), https://www.olomouc.eu/o-meste/uzemni-planovani/mpr-olomouc?srsltid=AfmBOoq7den5x-EKwjoIWqoD_CGP-PUz44KdTSHa1N8Bft7BSX_uOQiIP [accessed: 03.10.2024].
Treaty on the European Union (consolidated version), OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, p. 13. Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (consolidated version), OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, p. 47.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/859 [accessed: 12.10.2024].
Vervaele J.A.E., The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO): Introductory Remarks, in: W. Geelhoed, L.H. Erkelens, A.W.H. Meij (eds.), Shifting Perspectives on the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Asser Press, The Hague 2018.
Weyembergh A., Brière C., Relations Between the EPPO and Eurojust – Still a Privileged Partnership? in: W. Geelhoed, L.H. Erkelens, A.W.H. Meij (eds.), Shifting Perspectives on the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Asser Press, The Hague 2018.
Information: Santander Art and Culture Law Review, 2024, 2/2024 (10), pp. 295 - 306
Article type: Original article
Titles:
Charles University, Prague
Institute of Legal Studies,
University of Opole
Published at: 18.12.2024
Article status: Open
Licence: CC BY
Percentage share of authors:
Information about author:
Article corrections:
-Publication languages:
EnglishView count: 53
Number of downloads: 32