In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the corridors of European power, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has detained and questioned one of the bloc’s most prominent former officials. Federica Mogherini, who served as the European Union’s foreign policy chief for five years, was taken into custody alongside two other senior figures as part of a major fraud investigation. The probe centers on allegations of favoritism in awarding a lucrative training contract.
The coordinated operation, which unfolded on Tuesday, saw investigators conduct searches at multiple locations, including the Brussels headquarters of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the prestigious College of Europe campus in Bruges. Private residences of the suspects were also raided. Alongside Ms. Mogherini, who is now the Rector of the College of Europe, authorities detained Stefano Sannino, a high-ranking EEAS director-general, and an unnamed senior official from the academic institution. All three were released without formal charges on Wednesday morning, though they remain under investigation.
The case hinges on a procurement process conducted between 2021 and 2022. The EPPO is scrutinizing the EEAS’s decision to award a contract for its EU Diplomatic Academy, a key training program for junior diplomats, directly to the College of Europe. Prosecutors have articulated “strong suspicions” that the tender was manipulated. Their investigation is specifically examining whether insiders at the college received illicit advance information regarding the selection criteria, thereby gaining an improper advantage. The accusations levied by the EPPO encompass procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, and breaches of professional secrecy.
The implications of targeting such high-profile individuals are profound within the EU’s political ecosystem. Diplomats have described the events as unprecedented, noting the exceptional nature of detaining a former High Representative for Foreign Affairs. The scandal has inevitably resurrected uncomfortable memories of previous integrity crises, most notably the sprawling ‘Qatargate’ corruption affair, which remains unresolved. It strikes at a moment of heightened public scrutiny of EU institutions, potentially exacerbating existing skepticism about transparency and accountability at the highest levels.
A spokesperson for the College of Europe offered a terse response to the developments, stating, “The College of Europe will not comment at this stage.” The institution, along with the EEAS, now faces intense examination of its internal governance and procurement protocols. While the suspects’ release indicates they are not considered a flight risk, the judicial process is far from over. The EPPO’s aggressive move signals a newfound assertiveness in pursuing alleged misconduct, regardless of the stature of those involved. This case is poised to become a critical test of the EU’s ability to police itself, with its outcome likely to influence the political climate and institutional trust for years to come.