The European Chief Prosecutor, Laura Kövesi, has forcefully defended the ongoing investigations into former EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, signaling a commitment to upholding the rule of law regardless of political standing. In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Kövesi expressed concern over the level of discussion surrounding the case, emphasizing that “the fact that one works in Brussels and even holds an important function does not make one more virtuous and certainly not untouchable.
Kövesi’s remarks come as the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), which she leads, faces scrutiny over its unprecedented investigation into Mogherini, who was detained in Belgium in December on suspicion of corruption and fraud linked to training programs for young diplomats. Mogherini denies the allegations.
Kövesi underscored the EPPO’s core mission: to ensure that the law applies equally to all, regardless of position or influence. She acknowledged widespread anxieties about public trust in EU institutions, but cautioned against attempts to disguise wrongdoing. “You can’t fool them” she stated. “You can’s pretend nothing happened when something happened”. Transparency and accountability, she argued, are the cornerstones of maintaining this trust and vital for a functional democracy. “The best way to preserve trust is not to sweep the dirt under the rug.
Kövesi, renowned in Romania for her tenacious fight against corruption, also advocated for expanding the EPPO’s remit. Notably, she pointed to the need to investigate the circumvention of EU sanctions, a problem she views as increasingly transnational and undermining the efficacy of EU policy.
Beyond the Mogherini case, Kövesi voiced serious concerns about the scale of financial crime plaguing Europe, describing it as a “structured invasion” from criminal organizations based in countries like China, alongside the expansion of activities by established mafia groups into these lucrative schemes. Europol estimates that the EU loses over €50 billion annually due to VAT fraud alone. She warned that this isn’t merely about lost revenue; it represents a severe threat to internal security and facilitates wider criminal enterprises.
The ongoing investigation into Mogherini and Kövesi’s broader warnings paint a stark picture of the challenges facing the EU’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and combating transnational financial crime.