Belgian police say it's searched multiple European Commission offices in Brussels on Thursday as part of an investigation into the 2024 sale of European Commission owned buildings to the Belgian state.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), which is leading the probe, confirmed it is conducting “evidence-collecting activities” in relation to an ongoing investigation but declined to provide further details in order to protect proceedings.
According to a report by Britains Financial Times, which first reported the inquiry, the searches took place at multiple Commission locations, including the budget department. Citing sources, the FT said the investigation concerns the sale of 23 Commission buildings to Belgium’s sovereign wealth fund, the Federal Holding and Investment Company SFPIM, in a transaction reported to be worth approximately €900 million.
The EU's executive body and SFPIM said they were cooperating fully with the investigation.
A European Commission spokesperson told POLITICO that the property sale followed established procedures and protocols and was conducted in compliance with applicable financial regulations. The spokesperson added that the Commission is committed to transparency and will cooperate fully with EPPO and the competent Belgian authorities.
The transaction took place during the previous Commission mandate, when Johannes Hahn served as commissioner responsible for budget matters.
Belgian police declined to comment. The Belgian prosecutor's office did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
No charges have been announced.
A unique architectural monument dating back to the 9th to 12th centuries has been discovered in the village of ...
At least four people were killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine's southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region ov...
A U.S. campaign to throttle Iran...
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
The Iranian Army has again struck at U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for U.S. attacks on southern and western parts of Iran late on Tuesday, which reportedly killed 18 people and injured more than 100 others.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, according to three senior Iranian sources. Washington is escalating pressure in hopes of securing concessions in future negotiations.
At least four people were killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine's southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region overnight, according to its Governor Oleksandr Hanzha. Attacks also hit the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions in the south of the country, as well as Donetsk in the east.
At least two people were killed and dozens injured on Friday after an explosion at a military barracks in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, about 30 km (20 miles) from La Paz, Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano said.
The resolution, sponsored by African countries and led by Togo, passed by 164 votes to one, with six abstentions. The United States was the only country to vote against it.
Food prices around the world rose sharply in August, reaching their highest level since late 2022 as extreme weather and disruptions caused by conflicts drove the surge according to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment