Mogherini reportedly among three arrested in EU fraud probe after raids in Bruges and Brussels

Belgian federal police carried out searches on Tuesday at the College of Europe in Bruges and at the EU’s diplomatic service in Brussels as part of a major European fraud investigation. Three suspects were arrested after their legal immunity was lifted.

The operation was requested by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and supported by OLAF, the EU’s anti-fraud office. Police also searched the homes of the suspects.

The case centres on the European Union Diplomatic Academy, a nine-month training programme for junior diplomats from EU member states. The programme was awarded to the College of Europe for the 2021-2022 period after an official tender organised by the European External Action Service (EEAS).

Investigators are examining whether the College of Europe, or people linked to it, had advance access to confidential selection criteria before the tender was officially published. According to the EPPO, there are strong indications that fair-competition rules may have been breached, and that confidential information was shared with one of the candidates.

According to VRT NWS and newspaper L’Echo, two well-known EU figures are reportedly among those arrested. The publications write that College of Europe rector Federica Mogherini, a former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, was detained, as well as Stefano Sannino, former EEAS secretary-general. These names have not been officially confirmed by investigators.

The European Commission declined to comment on Wednesday during its daily press briefing. A spokesperson confirmed that police had been present at EEAS buildings “as part of an ongoing investigation into activities during the previous mandate” and added that the Commission could not provide further details while the probe continues. The spokesperson also refused to comment on any individuals who may be involved.

^{© BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER}