Belgian police detain former EU foreign policy chief in fraud investigation

Belgian police detain former EU foreign policy chief in fraud investigation
Federica Mogherini (L) is seen during a talk with Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam August 5, 2019.
Reuters

Belgian authorities have taken former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini into custody as part of an ongoing fraud investigation, officials confirmed Tuesday.

The probe also involves senior EU diplomat Stefano Sannino and a manager at the College of Europe in Bruges. All three had their diplomatic immunity lifted to allow the investigation to proceed.

The investigation focuses on allegations of favouritism in awarding a training programme for future EU diplomats. The programme, run by the European External Action Service (EEAS), was assigned to the College of Europe, an elite institution that has trained Europe’s civil service since 1949.

Belgian police carried out searches at both the EEAS offices in Brussels and the College of Europe campus in Bruges as part of the inquiry.

Mogherini, who led the EU’s diplomatic service from 2014 to 2019, currently serves as rector of the College of Europe. Sannino, formerly EEAS secretary general, now holds the role of director general for the Commission’s Middle East, North Africa, and Gulf department.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office emphasised that the investigation is ongoing and all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Both the EEAS and the College of Europe have pledged full cooperation with authorities, reaffirming their commitment to transparency and integrity.

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