European prosecutors executed coordinated searches Tuesday at the prestigious College of Europe in Bruges and the European External Action Service (EEAS) headquarters in Brussels, marking a significant escalation in an investigation into alleged fraud surrounding an EU-funded training program for aspiring diplomats. Three individuals have been taken into custody as part of the probe.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) initiated the action, with the Belgian police force carrying out the searches under judicial warrant. The operation, supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), centers on the “Diplomatic Academy” project, awarded to the College of Europe between 2021 and 2022. Concerns are focused on potential irregularities in the procurement process and whether the institution, currently led by former EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, or its representatives gained an unfair advantage.
Investigators are examining whether the College of Europe had prior knowledge of the selection criteria used for awarding the project and, critically, whether confidential information was shared with a specific bidder. The timing of the searches follows a prior request by the EPPO to lift the immunity of several individuals implicated in the investigation – a request that was subsequently granted.
The investigation initially began with a report to OLAF and now encompasses a broad range of potential offenses including breaches of procurement law, corruption, conflicts of interest and violation of professional secrecy. The scope of the inquiry extends beyond the College of Europe, suggesting a potential web of connections within EU institutions is under scrutiny. A Belgian investigating judge in West Flanders is actively supporting the ongoing investigation, which is likely to raise uncomfortable questions about transparency and governance within the EU’s foreign policy apparatus and the integrity of its training programs for future diplomats. The involvement of a former High Representative like Mogherini amplifies the political sensitivity of the case and underscores the urgent need for a thorough and impartial examination of the allegations.
