EU prosecutors probe Spain’s first quantum computer over suspected fund misuse

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is investigating alleged misuse of EU funds linked to Spain’s first quantum computer, unveiled in February under the Ministry for Digital Transformation.

The EPPO has launched an investigation as it holds jurisdiction over the case, given that the computer was partly financed with Next Generation EU funds, Caliber.Az reports via Spanish media.

The outlet reports that agents from the National Police’s Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) visited the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) on May 7, where the quantum computer has been housed since September 2024. Officers reportedly seized various documents to trace the allocation of €8 million in public funding.

The project was officially presented in February at an event attended by BSC President Mateo Valero and the Minister for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service, Óscar López.

Note that, installed at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) in September 2024, the project received over €8 million from the European Union's Next Generation funds. The EPPO's probe focuses on possible misappropriation of these funds and alleged irregularities in the procurement process. 

The quantum computer was developed by a temporary joint venture between Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, a Spanish startup, and the technology group GMV. The contract, valued at approximately €8.5 million over 48 months, is part of the broader EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, aiming to advance high-performance computing across Europe. 

Following a formal complaint, Spain's National Police's Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) conducted a search at the BSC, seizing documents to trace the allocation and use of the EU funds. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the tendering process and fund utilization to determine any misconduct. 

This case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in publicly funded technological initiatives, especially those involving significant EU investments.

By Aghakazim Guliyev