Federica Mogherini, the former chief of foreign policy for the European Union, is facing allegations of fraud amid an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) regarding misuse of EU funds. This inquiry has prompted searches at the College of Europe, located in Bruges, Belgium, where Mogherini currently serves as president, and at the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels, which she led for five years.
Details of the Investigation
The EPPO has indicated that the investigation pertains specifically to EU-funded training programs for junior diplomats. Alongside Mogherini, a senior staff member from the College of Europe and a high-ranking official from the European Commission were also detained during the operation. The prosecutor’s office confirmed that these individuals were informed of the allegations against them, which include
“procurement fraud and corruption, conflict of interest and violation of professional secrecy.”
After being questioned for approximately ten hours, Mogherini publicly stated that she had “clarified my position with the investigators,” asserting the College’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity. She expressed confidence in the justice system, stating,
“I will obviously continue to offer my full collaboration to the authorities.”
Legal Context and Implications
Under Belgian law, individuals can be detained and subsequently released without facing formal charges, while still being considered suspects. The EPPO’s investigation is focusing on a tender awarded by the EEAS to the College of Europe for a nine-month training course in 2021-2022. The prosecutor’s office has stated that there are “strong suspicions” of favoritism associated with this tender.
The EPPO, tasked with investigating crimes that compromise the financial interests of the EU, has not disclosed the names of those questioned but confirmed that the immunity of several suspects has been waived as part of the ongoing investigation. The College of Europe, an independent institution aimed at educating future EU civil servants, is closely linked with the EU and receives partial funding from it.