Former EU Diplomat Mogherini Charged Amid Fraud Investigation

In a significant legal development, former European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, has been charged along with two others in an investigation concerning alleged fraudulent contracting related to a training program for young diplomats. The European Prosecutors Office confirmed that the trio faces serious charges including fraud, corruption in public procurement, conflict of interest, and breach of professional secrecy. Mogherini, who held the prominent position of High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission from 2014 to 2019, was apprehended by Belgian federal police on Monday. The investigation revolves around discrepancies in a tender issued by the European External Action Service, with allegations pointing towards a rigged contract favoring the College of Europe, an institution dedicated to the training of diplomats, which Mogherini has led since 2020. Alongside Mogherini, Stefano Sannino, the current Director-General of the External Action Service for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf, was also arrested. Sannino's prior roles include serving as Deputy Secretary-General for Economic Affairs in European diplomacy during Josep Borrell's tenure and acting as Italy's ambassador to Spain. The third individual charged is reported to be an executive from the College of Europe in Bruges. While all three accused individuals have been released due to a lack of flight risk considerations, the ongoing investigation continues to scrutinize their involvement in the alleged misconduct. These allegations have the potential to impact the reputation of the EU's diplomatic institutions and internal governance practices, calling attention to the need for transparency and integrity within European public procurement processes. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2