brussels-Former European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini and two other individuals were detained Tuesday as part of an investigation into alleged fraud surrounding an EU-funded training program for diplomats. The European Public ProsecutorS Office is investigating potential irregularities in the tender process for the program, which was implemented by the College of Europe between 2021 and 2022, raising concerns about transparency within EU procurement procedures. The arrests signal a heightened focus on accountability within the EU’s diplomatic training initiatives.
Former European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini has been detained as part of an investigation into alleged fraud related to an EU training program for diplomats, a source familiar with the investigation revealed Tuesday.
The source, along with reports from multiple news outlets, indicates that a total of three individuals have been taken into custody, including Mogherini, who served as the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy from 2014 to 2019. Since 2020, she has been the head of the College of Europe.
Also detained is Stefano Sannino, the former Secretary-General of the European External Action Service (EEAS), who has led the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Persian Gulf since February of this year. Sannino held the position of EEAS Secretary-General from 2021 to 2024.
The third individual detained is an employee of the College of Europe.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) confirmed in a statement that three people had been arrested following searches at the offices of the EU diplomatic service in Brussels and at the College of Europe in Bruges.
The searches were conducted “in the context of an investigation into suspected fraud relating to EU-funded training for junior diplomats,” the EPPO statement read, adding that “three suspects were arrested.”
According to the prosecution, the searches, carried out at the request of the EPPO by the Belgian federal police, took place in several buildings belonging to the College of Europe and the EEAS, as well as at the homes of the suspects.
An EU official confirmed that “searches have taken place” and stated that investigators are “looking into operations that occurred during a previous mandate.”
The current EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, assumed the role a year ago, with current head of the EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, taking office before him.
The EPPO stated the investigation centers on a nine-month training program for junior diplomats from EU member states, known as the EU Diplomatic Academy.
The EEAS contracted the College of Europe to implement the program between 2021 and 2022, and the investigation is focusing on whether the tender process was altered in favor of the College of Europe. The allegations raise questions about transparency and fairness in EU procurement procedures.
“There is a serious suspicion that confidential information relating to the procurement procedure at the time was disclosed to one of the candidates participating in the tender,” the EPPO statement said.
The EPPO indicated that it had requested and obtained the lifting of immunity for several of the suspects prior to the searches.
If the allegations are substantiated, they “could constitute fraud in public procurement, corruption, conflict of interest and breach of professional secrecy,” the prosecution noted.
“The investigation is continuing to establish the facts and assess whether any criminal offense has been committed,” the EPPO added.
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