FLASH
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EU-funded training for young diplomats has been put under investigation by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). Federica Mogherini, former minister, former EU High Representative and Rector of the College of Europe, and Stefano Sannino, former Secretary-General of the College of Europe (SEAS), now at the European Commission's Directorate-General for the Middle East and North Africa, have been detained on charges of fraud. A third person has also been detained: said to be a director of the College.
The three are accused of fraud, corruption, conflict of interest and breach of professional secrecy. The detention must be confirmed within 48 hours.
Le Soir reports that the investigation aims to shed light on SEAS's awarding of the European Union Diplomatic Academy project, a nine-month training program for future European diplomats at the prestigious school. The events reportedly date back to 2021 and 2022.
At the request of the EPPO, approved by the investigating judge, the Federal Police (FGP West-Vlaanderen) carried out searches in several buildings of the College of Europe in Bruges, at the European External Action Service in Brussels and at the homes of the suspects. The investigation also received support from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the statement said.
Prosecutors want to investigate whether the College of Europe and its representatives were informed in advance of the selection criteria for the tender procedure and had sufficient reason to believe that they would be awarded the project, before the EEAS officially published the tender notice. "There are strong suspicions that, during the tender procedure for the programme, Article 169 of the Financial Regulation, concerning fair competition, was violated, and that confidential information related to the ongoing contract was shared with one of the bidders," the EPPO writes.
Prior to the checks, the Public Prosecutor's Office requested the lifting of immunity from prosecution of some suspects, which was granted. The facts under investigation were initially reported to OLAF. They may constitute procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest and breach of professional secrecy. The investigation is also being supported by the Belgian investigating judge in West Flanders (Ypres district).
Budapest has also reacted to these developments.
"Another day, another 'shocking' EU scandal. Belgian police raid EEAS and College of Europe at dawn? Documents seized, arrests made, corruption and procurement fraud. EU's 'prestigious training school' for Eurocrats now under investigation for privileged access to tenders? It can't be made up.
"It's curious how Brussels lectures everyone about the 'rule of law', while its institutions look more like a detective series than a functional union," wrote Zoltan Kovacs, spokesman for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on X.
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