In a surprising event, Belgian police have arrested Federica Mogherini, a former top European Union official. She was the EU's foreign policy chief from 2014 to 2019. The arrest is part of a major investigation into corruption. Two other senior officials were also detained for questioning.
The investigation is looking at money given to the European Diplomatic Academy. This is a training program for new EU diplomats. The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) believes there was serious mismanagement of these funds. Police searched important buildings in Brussels and Bruges, including the offices of the European External Action Service and the College of Europe.
This scandal is very serious for the EU's reputation. Federica Mogherini is a well-known political figure. After her time as foreign policy chief, she became the head of the College of Europe. This college trains many future EU leaders. Its connection to the investigation is particularly damaging.
The other detained official, Stefano Sannino, was a high-level administrator in the EU's foreign service. His involvement shows the investigation reaches the highest levels. It is ironic because the Diplomatic Academy was created to build a strong, honest EU diplomatic team.
The involved institutions have not made any public statements yet. This silence shows how serious the situation is. The three people will be questioned by anti-fraud investigators. This case could lead to bigger changes in how the EU manages its money. For now, it has caused deep worry about trust and accountability in the heart of the European Union.