The police arrested the former head of European diplomacy, Federica MogheriniAnd two more people this Tuesday after searches in the European Union offices and at the prestigious graduate school, as part of the investigation into the alleged fraud … Related to training future diplomats, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) noted that searches had been carried out at the College of Europe, in the Belgian city of Bruges, and at the Brussels facilities of the European External Action Service, the diplomatic branch of the European Union.
The searches were part of an investigation into alleged fraud related to EU-funded training for young diplomats, according to a statement from the EPPO, which added that three suspects had been arrested.
The searches, carried out by the Belgian Federal Police at the request of the EPPO, focused on several buildings of the College of Europe and the European Employment Service, as well as the homes of the suspects, according to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
An EU official confirmed that the inspections had taken place, and stated that investigators were looking into activities carried out during previous mandates.
Current High Diplomat of the European Union, High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja KalasHe took office a year ago.
According to the European Prosecutor’s Office, this is a nine-month training program for young diplomats in EU member states, known as the EU Diplomatic Academy. The program was awarded by the EEAS to the College of Europe in Belgium for the period 2021-2022, and the investigation is focusing on whether the tender process was biased in favor of the said college.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that “there are strong suspicions that confidential information relating to ongoing recruitment was exchanged with one of the candidates participating in the tender.” The European Prosecutor’s Office claimed that it requested and obtained the lifting of immunity for several suspects before the searches.
The Attorney General’s Office stated that, if confirmed, the charges “may constitute contract fraud, corruption, a conflict of interest, and a violation of professional confidentiality.” He added, “The investigation is continuing to clarify the facts and assess whether crimes have been committed.”
The European Prosecutor’s Office is the independent prosecutor’s office of the European Union, responsible for investigating crimes against the bloc’s financial interests. The investigation is also supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), to which the investigated facts were first reported.