The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) conducted coordinated raids on Tuesday at the prestigious College of Europe in Bruges and the European External Action Service (EEAS) headquarters in Brussels, sparking a significant political and legal tremor across the European Union. The investigations center on allegations of fraud involving an EU-funded training program for young diplomats, known as the “Diplomatic Academy” project, awarded to the College of Europe between 2021 and 2022.
Three individuals have been detained as part of the ongoing probe, which was initiated following a report to OLAF (the European Anti-Fraud Office) and subsequently authorized by a Belgian investigating judge in West Flanders. The EPPO’s inquiry delves into whether the College of Europe, currently led by former EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, or its representatives may have gained prior knowledge of the selection criteria for the project’s awarding and critically, whether confidential information was potentially passed on to one of the bidders.
The raids mark a moment of intense scrutiny for the College of Europe, a key institution for nurturing future European diplomats and policymakers. The allegations, if proven, represent a serious breach of EU procurement law and raise uncomfortable questions about transparency and fairness within the bloc’s institutional framework. Prior to the searches, the EPPO secured the lifting of immunity for several individuals implicated in the investigation, a crucial step signifying the seriousness with which the accusations are being treated.
Beyond the immediate legal ramifications for those involved, the case has broader political implications. The fact that an institution led by a former EU foreign policy chief is at the center of a fraud investigation will undoubtedly fuel calls for greater accountability and rigorous oversight of EU-funded programs. The scrutiny will likely intensify demands for a thorough review of the EU’s procurement processes and measures to prevent future instances of alleged corruption and conflicts of interest. The investigation is currently exploring potential violations relating to procurement law, corruption, conflicts of interest and breaches of professional secrecy and its outcome could significantly impact the perception of integrity within the European Union’s diplomatic apparatus.