Archive · 3 Dec 2025
Former EU Chief Accused of Fraud and Corruption
Three people, including a former top EU official named Federica Mogherini, have been accused of doing some bad things with money meant for training young diplomats.
They were arrested and then let go while the police figure out what happened.
The police say everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
This news has surprised many people in the EU because these individuals are well-known and respected.
The police are looking into how the money was spent and if any rules were broken.
Former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and two others accused of procurement fraud, corruption, and other charges.
The investigation concerns suspected fraud related to EU-funded training for junior diplomats.
The three individuals were detained on Tuesday and released while the investigation continues.
Raids were conducted at the EU's diplomatic service in Brussels, the College of Europe in Bruges, and the suspects' houses.
Mogherini served as the EU's high representative for foreign and security policy from 2014 to 2019 and became rector of the College of Europe in 2020.
- Who
- Former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, senior EU diplomat Stefano Sannino, and a senior staff member at the College of Europe in Bruges
- What
- Accusations of procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, and violation of professional secrecy
- When
- Detained on Tuesday, accusations made on Wednesday
- Where
- Brussels and Bruges, Belgium
- Why
- Investigation into suspected fraud related to EU-funded training for junior diplomats
- Accused Individuals
- Federica Mogherini, Stefano Sannino, and a senior staff member at the College of Europe in Bruges
- Charges
- Procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, and violation of professional secrecy
- Investigation Focus
- Suspected fraud related to EU-funded training for junior diplomats
- Arrest Details
- Detained on Tuesday, released while investigation is ongoing
- Institutions Involved
- EU diplomatic service in Brussels, College of Europe in Bruges, and suspects' houses
- Mogherini's Roles
- EU's high representative for foreign and security policy (2014-2019), rector of the College of Europe (2020)
- Legal Status
- All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent Belgian courts of law