Former EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini Charged in Belgian Fraud and Corruption Probe

Federica Mogherini, the former European Union high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, has been formally charged in a Belgian investigation into alleged fraud and corruption linked to an EU-funded diplomatic training programme. Belgian authorities confirmed that Ms Mogherini, along with two other senior figures, was detained and questioned before being released pending further investigation.

Ms Mogherini, 52, who currently serves as president of the prestigious College of Europe in Belgium, was arrested on Tuesday following a series of coordinated raids by Belgian federal police. The searches targeted the College of Europe’s campus in Bruges, offices of the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels, and private residences connected to the case.

Alongside Ms Mogherini, investigators detained the College of Europe’s deputy rector and Stefano Sannino, a senior EU official with long-standing ties to the bloc’s diplomatic service. After questioning, all three individuals were formally notified of the charges, according to a statement from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).

“The accusations concern procurement fraud and corruption, conflict of interest and violation of professional secrecy,” the EPPO said, adding that the suspects were released overnight as they were not considered a flight risk.

Focus on EU Diplomatic Academy Funding

At the heart of the investigation is the European Union Diplomatic Academy, a training programme for junior diplomats that was funded by the EU and awarded to the College of Europe during the 2021–2022 period. Prosecutors are examining whether the public tender process for the programme was manipulated to favour the College of Europe, potentially breaching EU procurement rules.

According to European sources, the contract under scrutiny was worth approximately €650,000 ($1.1 million). The programme was overseen by the EEAS, the EU’s diplomatic arm, which is also among the institutions searched as part of the investigation.

Ms Mogherini has led the College of Europe since 2020 and, in 2022, also assumed leadership of the EU Diplomatic Academy — roles that place her at the centre of the period under examination. The EPPO is seeking to establish whether conflicts of interest arose from these overlapping responsibilities and whether EU funds were improperly allocated.

EU Institutions Respond

The European Commission confirmed that raids had taken place at EEAS premises, noting that the investigation concerns “activities that took place before in the previous mandate.” The current EU high representative for foreign affairs, Kaja Kallas, assumed office a year ago, succeeding Josep Borrell, who followed Ms Mogherini in the role.

The College of Europe issued a statement pledging full cooperation with investigators. “The College reiterates its commitment to the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and compliance — both in academic and administrative matters,” the institution said.

Oversight and Next Steps

The investigation is being led by a judge in western Belgium and is supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), which initially received the allegations before passing them to the EPPO. The EPPO, an independent EU body, is responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes that threaten the bloc’s financial interests, including fraud involving EU funds.

While the formal notification of charges marks a significant escalation in the case, Belgian prosecutors emphasised that the investigation remains ongoing and that no final determination of guilt has been made. The developments nonetheless cast a shadow over one of Europe’s most prominent academic institutions and a former senior EU official who played a key role in shaping the bloc’s foreign policy during her tenure.

Further investigative steps, including analysis of procurement documents and financial records, are expected in the coming months as prosecutors seek to determine whether EU rules were breached and whether public funds were misused.