The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) executed a series of coordinated raids Tuesday targeting the College of Europe in Bruges and the European External Action Service (EEAS) headquarters in Brussels, resulting in the detention of former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini. The probes center on allegations of fraud related to a European Union-funded training program for aspiring diplomats, raising serious questions about transparency and potential corruption within crucial EU institutions.
Mogherini, currently serving as Director-General of the prestigious College of Europe, was apprehended alongside her deputy at the institution and another unidentified EU official, according to multiple reports. The EPPO’s investigation focuses on the “Diplomatic Academy” project, awarded to the College of Europe between 2021 and 2022. Authorities are scrutinizing whether the university, or its representatives, gained prior knowledge of the selection criteria for the project’s award and if confidential information was inappropriately shared with a prospective bidder.
The case immediately sparked a political firestorm, with critics questioning the integrity of the EU’s procurement processes and demanding a full and transparent inquiry. The fact that a figure of Mogherini’s stature, a former key player in EU foreign policy, is implicated raises profound concerns about the potential for undue influence and collusion within the European bureaucracy. While the EPPO stresses that the detentions are preliminary and based on suspicion, the magnitude of the allegations has shaken confidence in the separation of powers and the impartiality of the bidding system.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) provided support to the Belgian police during the searches, underscoring the seriousness with which the EPPO is pursuing this investigation. Further details remain scarce as the investigation is ongoing, but the case has reignited a long-standing debate about the need for greater oversight and accountability within the EU’s complex web of funded programs and institutions. The ramifications of a successful prosecution could extend far beyond the immediate parties involved, impacting the EU’s reputation at a time when its credibility is already under intense scrutiny.