Belgian police searched the headquarters of the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels and the College of Europe campus in Bruges as part of an investigation into suspected fraud and irregularities in the awarding of contracts for the training of young diplomats. The action is led by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), and so far they have detained three people, while the immunity of some other officials was revoked, the Euraktiv portal announced.
Some Belgian media have announced that, according to unofficial data, the former Vice President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, is among those detained.
According to European media, the disputed contract is related to the Junior Diplomatic Academy program, awarded to the College in 2021-2022. year. The investigation also includes the possible leakage of confidential information, as well as suspicions of corruption in the public procurement process.
During the raids, the police seized documentation and electronic devices, and the EPPO announces that the investigation is expanding to other related institutions. The case has already caused a significant upheaval in EU diplomatic circles, as there are high-ranking current and former officials among the suspects.
What is the purpose of the investigation?
Tuesday's raids were carried out at the request of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), which is investigating suspected fraud in connection with an EU-funded project.
In a statement, the EJT said the investigation is focused on the Diplomatic Academy of the European Union, a nine-month training course for young diplomats awarded by public tender to the College of Europe in Belgium between 2021 and 2022.
The investigation aims to determine whether EESA breached its tendering rules by sharing information with the College before the project was formally awarded.
The EJT said there were "strong suspicions" that EU rules on fair competition had been breached during the tender process and that "confidential information relating to an ongoing procurement was shared with one of the candidates participating in the tender".
The facts "may represent fraud in public procurement, corruption, conflict of interest and violation of professional secrecy," the EJT said.
"An investigation is ongoing to clarify the facts and assess whether criminal acts took place."
The EEAS is currently headed by High Representative Kaja Callas, who replaced Giuseppe Borelli in December 2025. Borelli took over after Mogherini's departure in 2019.
The spokesman declined to comment on whether any of the three detained were acting EU officials. Tuesday's operation follows a "waiver of immunity", the European Prosecutor's Office said, suggesting the individuals were high-ranking.
