Follow us on Facebook

Walaw

Advertising

News in brief

Former EU diplomat Federica Mogherini detained in EU fraud probe

Tuesday 02 - 16:40

By: Sahili Aya

Former EU diplomat Federica Mogherini detained in EU fraud probe

Belgian authorities have detained former European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini as part of an expanding investigation into alleged fraud linked to EU-funded diplomatic training programs, Belgian news agency Belga reported on Tuesday.

According to a statement by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), two additional suspects were taken into custody as police conducted coordinated searches at the European External Action Service (EEAS) headquarters in Brussels and at the College of Europe in Bruges, where Mogherini serves as rector and director of the European Union Diplomatic Academy. Investigators also searched the private residences of those involved.

The probe is examining suspected irregularities surrounding an EU-funded training program for junior diplomats. The College of Europe had been awarded responsibility for carrying out the project following a public tender. Prosecutors are now investigating whether confidential information was improperly shared in advance, giving the institution or certain individuals an unfair advantage before the tender was officially published.

EPPO stated there are “strong suspicions” that EU financial rules were violated, including the possible leaking of sensitive internal criteria. Authorities are seeking to determine whether any criminal offenses were committed.

Mogherini, who previously served as Italy’s foreign minister and later as the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs, is considered one of the most high-profile figures to face scrutiny in the case. The two other detainees reportedly include a former EEAS secretary-general and the deputy director of the College of Europe.

EPPO emphasized that all individuals involved remain presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the investigation is ongoing.