EU Commission offices searched in probe into €900m property deal
Several European Commission buildings in Brussels were searched on Thursday as part of an investigation into suspected fraud in a property transaction, AFP reported, citing a source close to the case and confirming earlier reporting by the Financial Times. The searches were carried out on the orders of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
According to two anonymous sources quoted by the Financial Times, the investigation concerns the 2024 sale of 23 Commission buildings to Belgium's Federal Holding and Investment Company (SFPIM) in a deal worth around 880 million euros. At the time, the European commissioner responsible for budget matters was Austria’s Johannes Hahn.
The EPPO confirmed to the Financial Times only that it is "gathering evidence in an ongoing investigation". It declined to comment further so as not to jeopardise the proceedings. The European Commission confirmed to AFP that searches had taken place.
"The Commission (...) will cooperate fully with EPPO and the competent Belgian authorities on this issue, providing any information and assistance needed to ensure a thorough and independent investigation into this matter," a spokesperson said, adding that he was confident the process had been conducted in accordance with the rules.
The Commission has previously announced plans to dispose of around a quarter of its office space by 2030, citing the rise in teleworking since the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2024, it reached an agreement to sell 23 buildings to the Belgian state, which intends to redevelop them for housing, businesses or retail. Under the arrangement, SFPIM would acquire the properties and subsequently resell them to project developers.
PHOTO © Nicolas TUCAT / AFP
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