Belgian police conducted searches in the EU: former head of diplomacy Mogherini detained

Searches at the headquarters of the European External Action Service

According to ХВИЛЯ: Belgian police conducted searches at the headquarters of the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels, as well as at the College of Europe in Bruges. These actions are part of an investigation into alleged fraud involving European Union funds. As a result of the searches, three individuals were detained, among them the former head of European diplomacy Federica Mogherini, Stefano Sannino, and a manager from the College of Europe.

The searches began at 7:30 AM on Tuesday. Law enforcement also conducted searches in the private residences of the detainees. The investigation is looking into possible access by the College of Europe to confidential information related to a tender for financing a new EU Diplomatic Academy. It is known that the College of Europe purchased a building for 3.2 million euros in 2022 and also received funding of 654,000 euros from the EEAS that same year.

Investigation and its implications

The European Prosecutor's Office has already requested the lifting of immunity from several suspects in this case. Federica Mogherini, who was the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs from 2014-2019, has become one of the key figures in the investigation process. The College of Europe, founded in 1949, is also involved in this case.

The investigation involves the Belgian federal police and the EU anti-fraud office OLAF, which aims to detect and prevent fraud involving the budgetary funds of the European Union. The situation surrounding the searches and arrests has sparked significant interest in the media and among the public, as it pertains to important aspects of the funding of European institutions and potential abuses in this area.

These events highlight the importance and necessity of oversight over the use of EU budgetary funds, especially in the context of increased public interest in the funding of European institutions. The investigation may impact not only the reputation of the detained individuals but also that of the European External Action Service itself, as well as trust in the financing mechanisms within the EU. At the same time, the results of the investigation could lead to changes in budget management policies and the prevention of fraud in the future.