Former EU Foreign Policy Chief Mogherini Arrested in Fraud Investigation

Federica Mogherini, the former EU foreign policy chief, was taken into custody on Tuesday, December 2, during police raids investigating a potentially fraudulent scheme involving the training of European diplomats. Mogherini, who served as the high representative for foreign affairs from 2014 to 2019, is currently the leader of the College of Europe, a graduate school whose premises were also searched alongside the offices of the European External Action Service (EEAS). The 52-year-old Italian politician was arrested in Brussels, along with the College's deputy head and Stefano Sannino, a senior EU official who served as secretary-general of the EEAS from 2021 until 2024, as reported by a source familiar with the situation. The European Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO) confirmed that raids were held at the College of Europe situated in Bruges and at the EEAS offices in Brussels. As part of the investigation into suspected fraud associated with EU-funded training for junior diplomats, three suspects were detained during the raids, according to the EPPO's statement. The operation, executed by the Belgian federal police at the EPPO's request, also involved searches of the residences of certain suspects. The focus of the investigation relates to a nine-month training program for junior diplomats across EU member states, known as the European Union Diplomatic Academy. This program was awarded to the College of Europe by the EEAS for the period from 2021 to 2022. Prosecutors are looking into whether the tendering process for the program was deliberately manipulated to benefit the school, of which Mogherini is the head. There are strong indications that confidential information related to the tender process was improperly shared with one candidate involved, according to the EPPO's statement. The European Commission has confirmed the occurrence of the raids, with spokesperson Anitta Hipper stating, "We can confirm that the police was today at the EEAS buildings, and this is part of the ongoing investigation of the activities that took place before in the previous mandate." Currently, the EU’s top diplomat, High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, succeeded Mogherini's successor, Josep Borrell, in this role a year ago. The EPPO has stated that it requested and received the lifting of immunity from several suspects prior to the search efforts. If the allegations are substantiated, they may involve procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, and breach of professional secrecy. The investigation remains active as authorities work to clarify the facts and assess any potential criminal behavior. The EPPO serves as the independent public prosecution office of the European Union, specifically established to investigate crimes against the financial interests of the bloc. The investigation is also receiving support from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), to which the accusations were initially reported. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3