Federica Mogherini, the former EU High Representative, was detained during police raids linked to an anti-fraud investigation that has rattled Brussels, with authorities also questioning two other suspects on Tuesday morning after searching EEAS offices, the College of Europe in Bruges, and several private homes.
Mogherini, who led EU foreign policy from 2014 to 2019 and has served as rector of the EU-funded College of Europe since 2020, was taken in alongside Stefano Sannino, the former EEAS secretary general and current director of the European Commission’s DG MENA.
A third detainee is reportedly a manager at the College of Europe, which has pledged full cooperation with investigators and reaffirmed its commitment to integrity and transparency. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered the raids as part of a probe into suspected fraud linked to the EU Diplomatic Academy, a nine-month training programme awarded to the College of Europe between 2021 and 2022.
Investigators are examining whether the EEAS improperly shared confidential tender information with the College before the contract was officially granted. According to the EPPO, there are strong suspicions of breaches of fair-competition rules, including possible procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, and violations of professional secrecy.
An EEAS spokesperson confirmed the searches and said the case concerns activities from the institution’s previous mandate, now led by High Representative Kaja Kallas. The EPPO noted that Tuesday’s operation followed the lifting of immunity, indicating that the individuals involved were high-ranking EU officials.
Federica Mogherini