Belgian Investigators Target EU Diplomatic Service In Fraud Probe
Belgian officials are looking into a lot of fraud that may have happened in the European Union’s diplomatic service and the College of Europe in Bruges. The investigation is looking into the suspected abuse of EU money meant for Ukraine, which led to 3 arrests after coordinated searches.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) said that the operation included searches in Brussels and Bruges, including the headquarters of the European External Action Service (EEAS), which is the EU’s primary diplomatic arm.
Fraud Allegations Linked To EU Diplomatic Academy Program
The focus of the probe is on possible financial problems with EU-funded training programs for future diplomats, such as the EU Diplomatic Academy, which was given to the College of Europe for the 2021–2022 school year.
Authorities are looking into whether money earmarked for education and diplomatic training was mishandled or stolen. This raises issues about how open high-level EU contracts are.
Three Suspects Arrested After Immunity Lifted
Belgian prosecutors have announced that 3 people were arrested after their immunity was taken away, although their identities have not been made public yet. The EPPO said it couldn’t reveal names while the case was still going on in court.
But several news sites said that Federica Mogherini, who used to be the EU’s foreign policy leader and is now the head of the College of Europe, may be one of those who were detained. The EPPO has not corroborated this report and is keeping it very private.
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Raids At EU And College Institutions
Belgium’s federal police searched various EEAS offices in Brussels, many College of Europe buildings in Bruges, and the homes of people connected to the case.
After getting some initial evidence that EU money meant for activities relating to Ukraine may have been misused, EPPO prosecutors are said to have approved the coordinated searches.
Institutions Implicated In The Investigation
The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the EU’s diplomatic and foreign policy division. It is in charge of the EU’s relationships with countries that are not members and with international organizations.
Founded in 1949, the College of Europe is a top-notch school for graduate students who want to work in EU organizations. Its relationship with EEAS as part of the EU Diplomatic Academy program is now being looked at very closely.
Ongoing Investigation And Legal Consequences
The EPPO said that more searches and document analysis are going on, but officials have not yet filed formal charges. Investigators want to talk to more witnesses and personnel to find out how bad the financial problems are.
Authorities are still trying to figure out if the acts broke EU regulations against fraud and financial integrity. All suspects are still deemed innocent unless proven guilty.
EPPO Makes EU Financial Crime Oversight Stronger
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office was set up in 2021 to fight fraud, corruption, and money laundering that involves EU monies. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) did not have the power to prosecute, but the EPPO does, so it may bring cases to national courts.
An EU official told AFP that the investigation includes “activities dating back to previous mandates,” which means things that happened before Kaja Kallas became High Representative for Foreign Affairs in 2024. The probe is an indication that EU institutions will be more strict about holding people accountable for their money.
