Former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini arrested in corruption probe

Federica Mogherini, the former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has been arrested by Belgian police as part of an ongoing corruption investigation.

The operation, which caused a stir in Brussels, also saw senior EU official Stefano Sannino questioned on Tuesday.

Mogherini, who served as the former high representative of the EU, was among those detained during the police raids.

On Tuesday morning, Belgian authorities entered the buildings of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the College of Europe campus in Bruges.

As part of the operation, numerous private residences were searched, and a total of three suspects were interrogated.

Former executives and current officials under scrutiny

Federica Mogherini, one of the central figures in the investigation, shaped the EU’s foreign policy while leading the EEAS from 2014 to 2019.

Since September 2020, Mogherini has been serving as the rector of the College of Europe, a prestigious educational institution supported by EU funds.

The second individual taken into custody, Stefano Sannino, is a well-known senior EU official.

Sannino served as the secretary-general of the EEAS from 2021 to 2024.

In February of this year, the experienced bureaucrat was appointed director of the Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf (DG MENA), established to strengthen the EU’s relations with its neighbors.

According to information reported by the newspaper Le Soir, the third suspect is an administrator at the College of Europe.

Following the developments, the College of Europe administration issued a statement:

“The institution will cooperate fully with the authorities in the spirit of transparency and respect for the investigative process. The College of Europe remains committed to the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and compliance in all its academic and administrative activities. All necessary measures are being taken to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of its operations.”

Allegations of irregularities in diplomatic academy tender

Yesterday’s raids were carried out at the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).

The EPPO is investigating suspicions of corruption in a project financed by EU funds.

A statement from the prosecutor’s office indicated that the investigation is focused on the European Union Diplomatic Academy.

This nine-month training program for young diplomats was awarded to the College of Europe in Belgium through a public tender in 2021-2022.

The investigation file centers on the suspicion that the EEAS violated procurement rules by sharing information with the College of Europe before officially awarding the project.

The EPPO emphasized that there are strong suspicions that the rules of fair competition were breached during the tender process and that confidential information about the ongoing tender was passed to one of the candidates.

The prosecutor’s office noted that these actions could constitute the crimes of “tender fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, and breach of professional secrecy.”

As the investigation continues, authorities aim to clarify the facts and determine whether a crime was committed.

Operation began after immunities were lifted

An EEAS spokesperson confirmed the building searches, stating that the case relates to activities from a “previous period.”

The service is currently led by High Representative Kaja Kallas, who succeeded Josep Borrell in December.

Borrell had taken over the position after Mogherini’s departure in 2019.

The spokesperson did not answer whether the three individuals taken into custody are still in their posts.

However, the EPPO announced that the operation took place “following the lifting of immunity,” an expression indicating that the suspects hold high-level positions.