Three people were arrested in Bruges and Brussels on Tuesday during an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor's Office into suspected fraud surrounding EU-funded training programs for young diplomats. Judicial sources confirmed to De Standaard and the news website Euractiv that Federica Mogherini, former High Representative for Foreign Affairs to the EU, was among those taken in for questioning. The Italian national is currently rector of the College of Europe in Bruges, a postgraduate institution that focuses on future diplomats. Two other individuals from diplomatic circles were also arrested. They may have been guilty of procurement fraud, corruption, and conflicts of interest.

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, the federal police conducted searches in several buildings of the College of Europe in Bruges, the European Diplomatic Service (European External Action Service) in Brussels, and the homes of suspects. Mogherini's private home in Bruges was also searched.

Before the house searches took place, the public prosecutor's office had requested and received the lifting of the immunity of several suspects.

Training program

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) investigation revolves around the European Union Diplomatic Academy, a nine-month training program for young diplomats in various European member states. The European External Action Service (EEAS) awarded this program to the College of Europe for the 2021-2022 period following a public tender.

"An investigation is underway to determine whether the College of Europe or its representatives were informed in advance of the public tender criteria and had sufficient reason to believe they would be awarded the project before the EEAS announced the public tender," the European Public Prosecutor's Office stated in its press release. The European Anti-Fraud Office, OLAF, is also providing support in the investigation.

An eyewitness told Euractiv that around ten plainclothes police officers entered the EEAS headquarters in Brussels at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Around 9:00 a.m., federal police officers also reported to the College of Europe in Bruges for a house search. The educational institution itself reacted with shock to the police operation and subsequent arrests."I was only informed about this around 12:30 p.m. I'm completely taken aback," said Herman Van Rompuy, chairman of the board of directors of the College of Europe."I don't know anything else about this."

Lobbying

From 2014 to 2019, Mogherini served as Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative for European Foreign Policy under Jean-Claude Juncker. Before that, she served for several months as Italy's Foreign Minister for the Social Democratic Party (PD). In 2020, the College of Europe appointed her as its new rector, an appointment that was extended for another five years this year. Upon her appointment five years ago, Mogherini's appointment was criticized, which critics allege was largely due to lobbying by Van Rompuy.

In addition to Mogherini, according to judicial information, Stefano Sannino, a top European diplomat who served as Secretary General of the EEAS from 2021 to 2025, was also arrested. The Italian is currently Director General of the European Commission's Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf Service.