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Investigation ‘Calypso’: EPPO strikes criminal networks flooding EU with fraudulent Chinese imports

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Investigation ‘Calypso’: EPPO strikes criminal networks flooding EU with fraudulent Chinese imports

Tons of goods illegally imported through port of Piraeus, €700 million in losses

(Luxembourg, 26 June 2025) – A coordinated raid by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Athens (Greece), Madrid (Spain), Paris (France) and Sofia (Bulgaria) has dealt a significant blow to criminal networks flooding the EU market with goods fraudulently imported from China, while evading custom duties and VAT. The criminal scheme, which involved the massive importation of textile, shoes, e-scoters, e-bikes and other goods, is believed to have caused an estimated damage of approximately €700 million. 

The investigation carried out by the EPPO, code-named ‘Calypso’, spans 14 countries: Bulgaria, China, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. A total of 101 searches were conducted yesterday at the offices of customs brokers, companies controlled by the organised criminal groups under investigation, the premises of the suspects, and at the offices of tax advisers and representatives, lawyers, accountants and transport companies, in Bulgaria, Greece, France and Spain. Ten suspects were arrested, including two customs officers. In addition, firearms and cold weapons were found and seized in the houses of three of the suspects.

Law enforcement agents seized €5.8 million (of which €4.75 million in Greece and the remaining in France and Spain), in different currencies, including Hong Kong dollars, euros in digital wallets and cryptocurrencies. In addition, 7 133 e-bikes and 3 696 e-scooters were secured, as well as 480 containers for further checks and verification in the Port of Piraeus. Eleven properties located in Spain were also seized, as well as 27 vehicles and luxury items (bags, watches and jewellery). Freezing orders were also issued in Greece to seize real estate, boats and bank accounts.

At issue are several criminal networks, mainly controlled by Chinese nationals, that handle the full circuit of the goods imported from China into the EU market, including distribution to different Member States and sales to end customers, as well as money laundering and sending the profits back to China, while defrauding the payment of customs duties and committing large-scale VAT fraud. 

How it works 

The fraudulent scheme starts with the introduction of the goods from China into the EU, mainly through the port of Piraeus (Greece), with a substantial undervaluation or misclassification of the goods, in order to evade custom duties – using false documents to conceal the true value and nature of the merchandise. A network of professional enablers operating at the customs entry point, such as customs brokers, service providers and accounting firms, facilitate the initial clearance, and the apparent purchase and transport of the merchandise by companies mainly registered in Bulgaria, but operating in Greece with a Greek VAT registration number. 

The goods are subsequently sold to companies established in other Member States, thus allowing the first apparent purchaser to benefit from a VAT import exemption based on Customs Procedure 42 (CP42). This procedure, created to simplify cross-border trade, exempts importers from paying VAT in the country of importation, if the imported goods are subsequently transported to another EU Member State. 

Through a chain of buffer and shell companies, the goods are apparently sold to companies in specific Member States, where they are supposed to be sold on the market. These fraudulently declared destinations include Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. However, these fake ultimate acquirers of the goods never receive the merchandise, and operate as a missing trader, thus not paying VAT. In some cases, the criminal organisations used identity documents from legitimate companies, fraudulently hijacking their VAT numbers to conceal the true destination of the goods.

In reality, after the goods enter the EU, they are stored in warehouses and places controlled by the criminal organisations, and from there they are transported, using false documents, to France, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain (the real countries of destination). These Chinese logistics centres, where all goods are stored, operate as highly controlled warehouse districts, functioning almost like exclusive communities, accessible only to members of the criminal groups managing them.

The transport documents are destroyed as soon as the goods are delivered, and the merchandise is sold to end customers mostly on the black market, in cash, as part of a highly concealed parallel economy. 

One-stop criminal enterprise

The criminal organisations under investigation are in charge of producing the false invoices and transport documents to conceal the real destination of the goods, and to recruit a large network of sham companies used for the fake sales and deliveries, in order to hide the whole fraudulent chain. This allows the companies controlled by the criminal organisations to sell the products at a very competitive price, since VAT remains unpaid and customs duties and anti-dumping fees are largely evaded.

Finally, the proceeds of the crime are transferred to China using different money laundering techniques, including providing money laundering services to other criminal organisations via trade-based underground banking systems. In this way, the organised criminal groups control and conceal the whole criminal chain, from the initial fraudulent import to the VAT fraud, and from the sale of the goods to the laundering of the profits.

The total damage of the criminal activities under investigation is currently estimated at approximately €700 million: over €250 million come from evaded customs duties (which revert entirely to the EU budget), and close to €450 million from unpaid VAT (which damages both the EU budget and the national budgets of Member States). The damage caused by the fraudulent scheme under investigation is likely much higher. Greece’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) is also actively supporting the EPPO to further evaluate the extent of the damage in evaded customs duties. 

This EPPO-led investigation was supported by Europol through analytical assistance, coordination via a Virtual Command Post, and the deployment of an expert to the command centre in Luxembourg, with additional backing from national law enforcement agencies – highlighting the value of cross-border cooperation against organised crime. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) contributed to the detection. 

All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent courts of law.

The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.

List of most important partners and national authorities involved:

  • Europol
  • European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
  • Hellenic Internal Affairs Agency of Law Enforcement Bodies (Υπηρεσία Εσωτερικών Υποθέσεων Σωμάτων Ασφαλείας)
  • Hellenic Police’s Digital Forensics Investigations and Analysis Subdivision (Υποδιεύθυνση Ψηφιακής Εγκληματολογικής Έρευνας και Ανάλυσης της ΔΕΕ)
  • France’s National Anti-Fraud Office (Office National Antifraude – ONAF)
  • Bulgaria’s State Agency for National Security (ДАНС); National Investigation Service (Национална следствена служба); General Directorate National Police) Главна дирекция “Национална полиция”) and General Directoratе Gendarmerie and Specialised Counter-Terrorism Department (Главна дирекция “Жандармерия и специализан отряд за борба с тероризма”)
  • Spain’s National Police and Tax Agency (Policía Nacional and Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria)

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EUBAM Libya: Council extends mandate for two further years

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EUBAM Libya: Council extends mandate for two further years

The Council renewed the mandate of EUBAM Libya for two years until 30 June 2027. Source link

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Strategic Innovation Open Call | EIT

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Strategic Innovation Open Call | EIT

Apply to the Strategic Innovation Open Call to develop impactful solutions that address the most pressing challenges in urban mobility.

The call focuses on supporting ambitious, market-critical projects that tackle clearly defined problems faced by cities, public authorities, and mobility providers. Through this call, EIT Urban Mobility fosters innovation and strengthens Europe’s competitiveness by encouraging collaboration across the EIT Knowledge Triangle education, research, and business alongside a fourth essential partner: cities.

The Call will focus on five sectors: 

  • Urban logistics,
  • Public transport,
  • Mobility data management,
  • Electrification of transport and alternative fuels, and
  • Health and mobility. 

EIT funding allocation

The total estimated funding allocated to this Call is € 60 million for the period 2026-2028 and has multiple cut-off dates The indicative funding for the first submission cut-off is: € 9 million.

Each project may receive up to € 2 million of EIT funding. EIT Urban Mobility will reimburse up to 65% of the eligible project costs, while the minimum co-funding rate for all proposals is 35%.

Who can apply?

This is a multi-beneficiary call for proposals and therefore there must be a minimum of two independent legal entities, working together. These entities must be established in two different European Member States, and/or Third countries associated with Horizon Europe.

How can you apply?

The Strategic Innovation Open Call is open from 2026-2028 with several cut-off dates as outlined below. The assessment of the proposals involves two stage: Stage 1 is the expert evaluation of proposals submitted via the EIT Urban Mobility NetSuite platform, followed by Stage 2, which includes a panel hearing and selection by the Selection Committee.

Info webinars

EIT Urban Mobility will host online information sessions from 1-3 July 2025. Register for the online information sessions via the Mobility Innovators platform.

  • Info webinar: Call content and Q&A | 10.00 – 11.30 CET, 1 July 2025
  • Info webinar: Commercialisation and financial sustainability | 14.00 – 15.00 CET, 2 July 2025
  • Info webinar: Intellectual property strategy | 9.30 – 10.30 CET, 3 July 2025
  • Info webinar: Guidance to applicants | 14.30 – 15.30 CET, 3 July 2025

Apply here

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UN rights mission condemns civilian toll in deadly missile strikes on Ukraine

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UN rights mission condemns civilian toll in deadly missile strikes on Ukraine

At least 24 people were reported killed and over 300 injured – including 32 children – when ballistic missiles struck Ukraine’s Dnipro and Odesa regions on Monday and Tuesday, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) said on Wednesday.

The attacks destroyed homes, schools, hospitals, and other civilian infrastructure, and left hundreds wounded.

“The attacks struck during the day when civilians were at work, on trains, or at school,” said Danielle Bell, head of HRMMU.

“The timing alone made the high number of civilian casualties entirely foreseeable.”

On 23 June, two ballistic missiles launched by Russian forces hit Lyceum No. 1, a middle school in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Odesa region. Although the school year had ended, staff and students were present for administrative work. The strike killed three educators and injured 14 others, including two boys.

The school, which served over 700 students, sustained critical damage.

No military objective

HRMMU, which visited the attacks sites, reported no evidence of military presence at the school, and people confirmed that no military presence had been stationed there.

“The school in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi was not a military objective,” Ms. Bell said.

“Yet it was hit by two ballistic missiles, killing educators and injuring children.”

The following day, 24 June, missiles struck an industrial area of Dnipro city at around 11 AM local time. The blast shattered windows in nearby schools, hospitals and residential buildings.

HRMMU confirmed that two dormitories were hit, injuring numerous residents. A nearby passenger train was also impacted – windows blown out by the shockwave – injuring more than 20 travellers, according to a UN monitor onboard.

A troubling trend

These strikes followed a series of other attacks in June that have resulted in significant civilian harm, including in Kyiv city on 17 and 23 June, according to the human rights mission.

Civilian casualties in the first five months of 2025 were nearly 50 percent higher than during the same period last year, with increases typically seen during the summer months.

“Ballistic missiles, when used in densely populated areas, cause predictable and widespread harm to civilians, as demonstrated by these recent attacks,” Ms. Bell said.

“The rising civilian casualties reflect the severity of that risk.”

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SRB statement: Crisis Management and Deposit Insurance political agreement

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EUBAM Libya: Council extends mandate for two further years

The SRB welcomes the political agreement reached between the European Parliament and EU Member States on the Crisis Management and Deposit Insurance (CMDI) reform. This important reform has the potential to enhance the current framework by providing more options for dealing with smaller and mid-sized banks in crisis. In addition, it improves several technical aspects […]

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Despite the fall of Assad, the illicit drug trade in Syria is far from finished

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Despite the current government hostility to trade, the country remains a center for the production and distribution of medication.

During the country’s long civil war, the Assad regime was affected by sanctions and diplomatic isolation, and Captagon’s trade reportedly reported billions of dollars for the dictator and his allies.

The country’s attitude towards trade changed considerably after the fall of Assad in December 2024, and the rise of the power of a transitional government led by members of the Islamist group HTS and including members of many ethnic groups of Syria. The current administration is committed to disrupting the supply chain and demonstrated it by publicly destroying large quantities of captagon seized.

Thousands of people gathered in Damascus on Friday to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime.

However, the most recent edition of the Global drug reportreleased by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Unodc) On June 26, warns that Syria remains a major hub for the medication, despite the repression.

Before the launch, Angela Me, head of social affairs at the Onudc, spoke to UN News on the continuous use of Captagon in the region,

Angela me: Captagon is a stimulant, similar to methamphetamine, which is taken like a pill, and for many years, it has been the main concern in the Gulf State and in certain parts of North Africa.

His name was the “Djihadi pill” after finding that the authors of certain terrorist attacks had used it. On the battlefield, this helps to maintain energy, which is one of the reasons why it is so widespread. But users quickly become dependent and causes physical and mental health problems.

UN News: The Transitional Government of Syria has indicated that they do not tolerate this job, but your report shows that Syria is still a big center for Captagon. Who produces and sells?

Angela me: There is a lot of uncertainty around that. We see many major expeditions ranging from Syria, for example, Jordan. There are probably still shipping substances shipped, but we examine where production can move. We also note that traffic is developing regionally and we have discovered laboratories in Libya.

UN News: Given the big sums of money generated by drugs, are there still groups in Syria who wish to continue trade in the parts of the country they control?

Angela me: Certainly, and not only in Syria, but also in the wider region. These groups manage Captagon for a long time and production will not stop in a few days or weeks.

We help countries solve the problem from the point of view of organized crime, to understand the criminal groups involved, so that they can design answers and solutions: our research shows that there is not a single answer to dismantle groups.

We also help the police to connect with their peers in the region, because it is not a national problem. It is clearly a transnational problem that goes beyond the Middle East; We have seen Captagon traffic across Europe, for example.

Another way to support is to solve health related problems, to share proof -based treatment that can really help people recover from their dependence on the drug.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

Responsibility to Protect: An unfulfilled promise, a ray of hope

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Responsibility to Protect: An unfulfilled promise, a ray of hope

Addressing the General Assembly, António Guterres said that the world is witnessing more armed conflicts than at any time since the end of the Second World War.

Too often, early warnings go unheeded, and alleged evidence of crimes committed by States and non-State actors are met with denial, indifference, or repression,” he told Member States on Wednesday.  

“Responses are often too little, too late, inconsistent, or undermined by double standards. Civilians are paying the highest price.”

The pledge

The Secretary-General’s address marked two decades since the 2005 World Summit, where global leaders made an unprecedented commitment to protect populations from the atrocity crimes of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.

Known as the Responsibility to Protect, or R2P, the pledge affirmed that sovereignty carries not just rights, but responsibilities – foremost among them, the duty of every State to safeguard its own people.

When national authorities manifestly fail to do so, the international community has a duty to act – collectively, timely and decisively – in accordance with the UN Charter.

Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the UN General Assembly meeting on the responsibility to protect and the prevention of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.

An unfulfilled promise

“Two decades on, the Responsibility to Protect remains both an urgent necessity, a moral imperative and an unfulfilled promise,” he said.

He cited worsening identity-based violence, deepening impunity, and the weaponization of new technologies as compounding threats to populations around the world.

“No society is immune from the risk of atrocity crimes,” Mr. Guterres continued.  

A ray of hope

The Secretary-General also presented his latest report on the Responsibility to Protect, reflecting on two decades of progress and persistent challenges. It draws on a global survey showing that the principle still enjoys broad support – not only among Member States, but also among communities affected by violence.

Communities see it [R2P] as a ray of hope,” he said, “but they also call for effective implementation at all levels.

Mr. Guterres emphasised that prevention must begin at home: with inclusive leadership, the protection of human rights and the rule of law. And it must be supported worldwide through multilateral cooperation and principled diplomacy.

No society is immune from the risk of atrocity crimes,” he said.  

“[Prevention] must be supported globally – through multilateral cooperation, principled diplomacy, and early and decisive action to effectively protect populations.”

In September 2005, heads of states and governments from around the world gathered at the UN Headquarters for the World Summit.

UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

In September 2005, heads of states and governments from around the world gathered at the UN Headquarters for the World Summit.

Flashback: 2005 World Summit and the birth of R2P

The Responsibility to Protect was adopted by consensus at the 2005 World Summit – at the time, the largest-ever gathering of heads of state and government. The Summit also established the Peacebuilding Commission to support post-conflict recovery and the Human Rights Council to uphold human rights.

The R2P principle is built on three pillars: the State’s responsibility to protect its population; the international community’s role in assisting States in this effort; and the duty to take collective action when States manifestly fail to protect their people.

Since its adoption, R2P has helped shape international responses to atrocity crimes, guided UN operations, and informed preventive efforts through national, regional, and multilateral mechanisms.

Keep the promise

Yet the gap between principle and practice remains a central concern – one the Secretary-General is urging the international community to close.

Let us keep the promise,” Mr. Guterres said. “Let us move forward with resolve, unity, and the courage to act.

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“ Fuel for Gaza is a question of life and death ” warns a

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“The Israeli authorities continue to restrict the delivery of fuel in and throughout the Gaza Strip, effectively stifling rescue services for private and hungry people”, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said During its regular press point in New York.

The conditions in the enclave remain dark, as Israeli operations continue to have a devastating impact on civilians, with relationships on murder and injuries of dozens of people, many of whom were simply looking for help.

Pregnant women and risky babies

Due to the situation of fuel, the United Nations Population Fund (Unfpa) warned that 80% of intensive care units, including those used for childbirth, are likely to stop – at a time when 130 women give birth every day.

“” As the UNFPA pointed out, fuel for Gaza is a question of life and death,“Said Mr. Dujarric.

He added that community kitchens could prepare more than 200,000 meals every day this week.

However, this represents a reduction of 80% compared to more than a million meals distributed daily at the end of April, calling it “Basically, a net offered to people on the verge of famine. »»

In the absence of fuel, cooking gases and electricity, people have used plastic waste.

“When they do it in makeshift tents, you can imagine what is going on with poor ventilation and the enormous risks that pose,” he told journalists.

© Unicef ​​/ Mohammed Nateel

A young boy in Gaza with serious weight loss and malnutrition eats a nutritional supplement.

Allow more help

In addition, the UN coordination office, OchhaAlso recalls that to significantly approach massive deprivation in Gaza, the Israeli authorities must allow higher volumes of supplies and more varied foods, as well as cooking, fuel and shelters.

Mr. Dujarric stressed that to facilitate the ordered distribution of aid, supplies must be channeled daily by several level passages and land routes simultaneously. This would guarantee people that the essential support flow is stable, sufficient and reliable.

He said that the UN and the partners had tried to coordinate 15 humanitarian movements inside Gaza on Tuesday, but that only three were entirely facilitated by the Israeli authorities, while seven were denied.

Four missions were initially approved, but were then interrupted on the ground, although one was finally accomplished on Wednesday and another was canceled by the organizers.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

The Seville conference on development of development shows optimism for multilateralism

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Today, a financing gap of $ 4 billions hinders progress Sustainable development objectives (ODD) at the end of this decade.

In response, the Fourth International Conference on Development Financing (FFD4) will take place in Seville, Spain, from June 30, bringing together the stakeholders to advance solutions to the challenges of funding threatening sustainable development.

“We have seen debt expenses and a decrease in down investments, and we have seen aid and an increase in trade barriers. The current system certainly does not provide the people it has been designed to support, “said the deputy secretary general Amina Mohammed During a briefing on the conference on Wednesday.

She was joined by Ambassador Héctor Gómez Hernández from Spain and Ambassador Chola Milambo de Zambia.

Role of stakeholders

More than 70 heads of state and government will attend the conference, as well as leaders of international financial institutions, civil society, philanthropies and the private sector, including energy, food systems and digital industries.

“The collective presence alone, I believe, sends a good signal for multilateralism at a time when we are faced with a lot of perspective,” said Ms. Mohammed.

Seville engagement

June 17, Member States agreed THE Seville compromisoor commitment from Seville, to adopt at the conference.

Ms. Mohammed stressed that the commitment addresses the debt crisis in developing countries which are particularly vulnerable to the financing of deficits, because many spend more for the interests of debt than for essential services, which subjects the opportunity for sustainable development.

Ambassador Milambo explained that this will be done by greater transparency, a global debt register and amplifying the votes of the debtor countries.

It also aims to catalyze investments by tripling loans from the Multilateral Development Bank (MDB), by doubling official development assistance (ODA) to developing countries, by taking advantage of private sector investment and ensuring that the international financing system is more inclusive and effective.

“It is a program on which world leaders can do something. They have the tools – and political weight – to get there, “said Ms. Mohammed.

Multilateralism test

Ambassador Hernández stressed that the conference arrives at a critical moment for multilateralism.

“This conference is a call for action, and we have the extraordinary opportunity to send a very strong message to defend the commitment of the international community towards the multilateral system,” he said.

Ambassador Milambo later added that the consensus on Seville’s commitment “sends a real message of hope to the world that we can take up the challenges of funding which hinders the SDGs and that multilateralism can still work.”

Despite the consensus, the United States recently announced that it would not send a delegation to the conference.

The speakers have urged observers to keep in mind the broader image: “It is regrettable, but that does not prevent us from continuing to engage with this Member State” and to request a change in the action plan, said Ms. Mohammed.

She concluded by noting that, especially given the recent agreement of the commitment, the discussions that the UN has with other donors on how they try to use resources more effectively, hopefully.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

Iran: Back to inspections Absolute priority for the United Nations nuclear agency

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Rafael Mariano Grossi addressed journalists in Austria following a briefing in the government in Vienna.

Israel began to launch air and missile air strikes against Iranian military and nuclear sites almost two weeks ago, and the United States made surprise bombing on three Iranian uranium installations last weekend.

A ceasefire between Iran and Israel, announced Monday evening on social networks by American president Donald Trump, is fragile but detained.

However, the extent of damage to Uranium stocks enriched with Iran remains uncertain.

Iran says that the protective measures taken

After the initial attacks, Iran informed the Aiea It would take “special measures” to protect its nuclear materials and equipment.

Grosi told journalists that he had received a letter from the Iranian Foreign Minister who said protective measures had been taken.

“They did not enter into the details of what it meant, but it was clear that it was the implicit meaning of this. So we can imagine that this material is there, “he said. To confirm this and assess the situation, “we have to come back,” he added.

Vital inspections

On Wednesday, the Iranian Parliament approved a bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, according to the media, which must be approved by the executive power of the government.

Grosi said he wrote to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Arabhchi on Tuesday to ask him to come together to “analyze the terms” so that the inspections continue.

He stressed that the international community “cannot afford” so that the inspection regime is interrupted.

The head of the IAEA was also questioned on the plans of Iran to withdraw from TThe Non-Proliferation Treaty (TNP)A key international agreement to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

This decision would be “very regrettable,” he said. “I hope this is not the case. I don’t think it would help anyone, starting with Iran. This would lead to isolation, all kinds of problems. ”

Originally published at Almouwatin.com