Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office said on Wednesday that European prosecutors are investigating possible criminal offenses related to an EU-funded project to lay an underwater power cable linking Europe to the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Cypriot president told reporters he was informed that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into potential criminal offenses concerning the project, which is funded by the EU at a cost of 1.9 billion euros (2.12 billion dollars).

The Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the investigation but declined to provide further details now “to avoid jeopardizing the investigation’s outcome.”

Meanwhile, the EU Budget and Anti-Fraud Commissioner in Cyprus, Piotr Serafin, refrained from commenting on Thursday, citing the independence of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. He said he was not aware of any concerns expressed by the office regarding the project.

A spokesperson for the Greek government, which actively supports the project, said the country had not received any briefing about an investigation.

The Greek company “IPTO,” operator of the Greek electricity grid (Independent Power Transmission Operator), is building the Great Sea Interconnector cable to link the European and Cypriot electricity transmission networks, extending later to Israel. The Greek company took over project management in 2023, succeeding a project manager based in Cyprus.

The project has faced several delays, with Nicosia seeking clarifications about its cost, feasibility, and commitments. Greece reaffirmed its commitment to the project in March after reports of its halt due to financial and geopolitical concerns.

Promoters say the project will be the world’s longest high-voltage cable at 1,240 kilometers and the deepest cable at a depth of 3,000 meters.