FLASH
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After questioning by the West Flanders Federal Police, Federica Mogherini, Stefano Sannino and Cesare Zegretti, involved in the alleged scandal surrounding funding for young European diplomats, were released overnight.
The charges, as is known, include fraud and corruption in procurement, conflict of interest and violation of professional secrecy.
All three were released because they were "not considered a flight risk."
This afternoon, Sannino announced his early retirement from his current position as Director of the European Commission's Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (MENA). However, Federica Mogherini stated that she had "made her position clear to the investigators".
The European Public Prosecutor's Office said that Mogherini, Sannino and Zegretti "have been formally informed of the charges against them." Investigators also stressed that "all individuals are innocent until proven guilty by the competent Belgian courts."
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) was prompted by "strong suspicions" of irregularities in the tender for the new European Diplomatic Academy. It is clear that the operation strikes at the heart of EU diplomacy, bringing the former EU High Representative to justice.
The prosecutor's office believes that the institute, led by Mogherini since 2020, received privileged information on the tender selection criteria before its official publication. This potential competitive advantage immediately raised alarm among investigators, the watchdogs of the EU budget.
Ambassador Stefano Sannino is also currently under administrative investigation by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), alleging that, during his tenure as head of the European External Action Service (EEAS), he may have favored candidates in the appointment of high-level positions in violation of internal procedures. As part of the EU Prosecutor’s investigation, the same sources specify that Sannino, the former Secretary-General of the EEAS, currently Director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Middle East and North Africa, has had his immunity from prosecution over his assets lifted, allowing investigators access to his electronic devices. In the meantime, the EEAS is said to have temporarily suspended its immunity to allow for further investigations.
"Regarding the process of establishing the EU Diplomatic Academy, I have clarified my position with the investigators acting on behalf of the European Public Prosecutor's Office. Throughout its long tradition, the Academy has always applied and will continue to apply the highest standards of integrity and fairness", declared Federica Mogherini.
She said that "for three years, the EU Diplomatic Academy has offered its participants the highest quality of teaching. I have full confidence in the judicial system and am convinced that the correctness of the College's actions will be verified. Of course, I will continue to offer my full cooperation to the authorities."
A spy within the European External Action Service (EEAS) may be behind the complaint filed with the European Union Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), which triggered the investigation into Federica Mogherini, Stefano Sannino and Cesare Zegretti, according to sources close to the investigation.
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