In this picture taken Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, Czech billionaire and leader of the ANO 2011 political movement Andrej Babis arrives for a political debate at the village of Vsetaty, Czech Republic, Czech Republic is holding general elections from Oct. 20 to 21, 2017. Babis, a former finance minister and billionaire whose political grouping is a hot favorite to win next month’s parliamentary election has been charged by police with fraud involving EU subsidies as it was announced Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, file)

In this picture taken Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, Czech billionaire and leader of the ANO 2011 political movement Andrej Babis arrives for a political debate at the village of Vsetaty, Czech Republic, Czech Republic is holding general elections from Oct. 20 to 21, 2017. Babis, a former finance minister and billionaire whose political grouping is a hot favorite to win next month’s parliamentary election has been charged by police with fraud involving EU subsidies as it was announced Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, file)

PRAGUE (AP) — The leading candidate to become the Czech Republic’s next prime minister has been charged with fraud involving $2 million in European Union subsidies.

Andrej Babis, a former Czech finance minister and billionaire, says that the case is politically motivated aimed at hurting his chances in this month’s parliamentary election.

Last month, lawmakers agreed to lift Babis’ parliamentary immunity from prosecution.

Babis’ centrist ANO movement is widely expected to win the Oct. 20-21 election. Another ANO official, Jaroslav Faltynek, also has been charged. He also denies the accusations.

The case involves a farm that received an EU subsidy after its ownership was transferred from the Agrofert conglomerate of some 250 companies that belonged to Babis to Babis’ family members. The EU farm subsidy was meant for medium and small businesses.