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Other details emerge from the scandal involving senior European Commission officials, with Federica Mogherini, the former EU foreign policy chief and rector of the "College of Europe", among those arrested.
European media reports that the other official arrested as part of the investigation into corruption and fraud related to a training program for European diplomats is Stefano Sannino. The latter was Secretary-General of the European External Action Service (EEAS). He is currently Director-General of the Commission's Department for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf.
The third person arrested is a manager of the "College of Europe", whose identity has not yet been made public.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office has conducted inspections at the EEAS offices in Brussels and at several premises of the "College of Europe" in Bruges.
The investigation relates to suspicions of favoritism, unfair competition and predetermined allocation of tenders, during the period 2021-2022, in relation to a 9-month training program for young EU diplomats.
Authorities are investigating whether representatives of the College had prior access to the tender criteria and whether violations including corruption, conflict of interest, violation of professional secrecy and fraud with EU funds were committed.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office had previously requested the lifting of the immunity of some officials, a request that was approved before today's operation. Meanwhile, the European Commission has refused to comment, arguing that "the investigation is ongoing."
"Half an hour ago, I was informed about what is happening in Bruges," said Herman Van Rompuy, the former president of the European Council, who is now president of the administrative council of the College of Europe in Bruges.
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