EU prosecutor investigating Spanish ministry in tagging bracelet inquiry

MADRID, Nov 12 (Reuters) - The European Public Prosecutor's Office said on Thursday it was investigating Spain's Equality Ministry and Court of Auditors as part of a probe into suspected fraud involving EU funds used to buy electronic monitoring bracelets for gender-based violence cases.

• The investigation relates to European Union funds allocated for electronic monitoring devices used to ensure compliance with precautionary measures and restraining orders imposed in gender-based violence cases, the EPPO said in a statement

• Equality Minister Ana Redondo said her ministry had been cooperating fully with European prosecutors for months and she was confident the money had been spent correctly

• Earlier this year, Spain changed the provider of the tracking devices worn by men accused of violence towards former partners after a data glitch impeded an unspecified number of criminal trials

• The EPPO, the EU's independent prosecution office, did not disclose further details on the investigation, which it said was being supported by Spanish police

• Redondo said the current contract had addressed shortcomings detected in the previous system and warned against undermining a programme that she said had helped protect more than 4,000 women

(Reporting by Emma Pinedo. Additional reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by Alexander Smith )