The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has opened an investigation into the European Commission. The probe concerns irregularities in sales of EU‑owned properties to the Belgian state, according to Brussels sources released on Thursday.

Searches were carried out early Thursday at several Commission sites in Brussels, including the Budget Directorate. Media reports link the investigation to the sale of EU property that took place while Johannes Hahn was Budget Commissioner. After his term ended, Hahn was appointed the EU’s special envoy for Cyprus.

According to the “Financial Times”, the investigation focuses on 23 buildings that were purchased by the Belgian state fund SFPIM for €900 million. At the time of the sale, the Commission said that the transaction complied with EU financial regulations.