Belgian police carried out coordinated raids on the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels, the College of Europe in Bruges, and several private residences on Tuesday morning, as part of an ongoing investigation into the suspected misuse of EU funds.
According to Euractiv and eyewitness accounts, the raids took place across Belgium in the early hours, with authorities seizing documents and arresting three individuals for questioning on allegations of procurement fraud, corruption, and criminal conflict of interest.
International media report that among those arrested is Federica Mogherini, the Rector of the College of Europe and former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, who began her second five-year term in Bruges earlier this year.
A witness stated that around 10 plainclothes officers entered the EEAS headquarters at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday. A senior EEAS official confirmed that the raid had taken place.
Investigation Focused on Alleged Misuse of Public Funds
The criminal probe was launched following accusations that both the EEAS and the College of Europe had mismanaged EU public funds during 2021 and 2022, according to four individuals familiar with the investigation.
This operation represents the latest high-profile scandal to hit EU institutions and is expected to intensify scrutiny on the College of Europe and its leadership, including Mogherini, who previously headed the EEAS before moving to academia.
Authorities have not yet disclosed further details, as the investigation remains ongoing.
