EU's Former Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini Detained in Fraud Probe

Investigation into EU Diplomat Training Contracts

• 🇪🇺 Federica Mogherini, the EU's former foreign policy chief, has been taken into custody as part of an investigation into suspected fraud.
• 🔍 The probe, led by the European Public Prosecutor's Office, concerns alleged favoritism in awarding a training program for future diplomats.
• 🏛️ The College of Europe, where Mogherini now heads, is suspected of receiving a contract in 2021 for training diplomats, with Mogherini also taking the helm of the academy in 2022.

Allegations and Scope of Probe

• ⚖️ If confirmed, the allegations could include procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, and violation of professional secrecy.
• 🚓 Belgian Federal Police conducted searches at the College of Europe and the EEAS diplomatic service offices, making two additional arrests.
• 💼 The investigation focuses on activities that took place during Mogherini's previous mandate as EU foreign policy chief from 2014 to 2019.

European Public Prosecutor's Office

• 📈 The European Public Prosecutor's Office, established in 2021, is an independent EU body tasked with combating offenses against the bloc's financial interests.
• 🤝 The probe involves a senior European Commission official and the deputy head of the College of Europe, alongside Mogherini.