In an unusual step, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed it has opened an investigation into the Covid-19 contracts signed by the European Union, a move that comes shortly after numerous members of the European Parliament harshly criticized a lack of transparency surrounding an agreement with Pfizer.
The EPPO is an independent public prosecution office that is responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to judgment crimes such as fraud, money laundering and corruption against the financial interests of the EU. The EPPO did not, however, specify what it is investigating in its brief announcement about its probe into Covid-19 contracts. “This exceptional confirmation comes after the extremely high public interest,” the EPPO stated. “No further details will be made public at this stage.”