Former EU top diplomat among three held in fraud investigation

Belgian authorities have arrested three people, including former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, in a probe into suspected fraud involving EU-funded training for junior diplomats.

Police also raided the Brussels headquarters of the EU foreign service and several College of Europe buildings in Bruges, as well as the homes of the suspects.

The investigation, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, focuses on possible procurement fraud, corruption, and conflicts of interest related to the tender for the European Union Diplomatic Academy.

Mogherini, now rector of the College of Europe, and Stefano Sannino, former secretary general of the EU’s external action service, had their immunity lifted to allow the probe, The Guardian has reported.

The EPPO said it suspects fair competition rules may have been breached, but emphasized that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.