Former E.U. foreign policy chief detained in fraud inquiry

"BRUSSELS - Authorities in Belgium detained former E.U. foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Tuesday, Belgian media reported, after police raided offices of the European Union's diplomatic service as part of a fraud investigation. The European Public Prosecutor's Office, which investigates crimes involving E.U. funds, said three suspects were detained in the conflict of interest probe involving the bloc's foreign policy arm, the European External Action Service (EEAS)."

"The detention followed raids by Belgian police at EEAS offices in Brussels, and at the College of Europe, a university in the Belgian city of Bruges that Mogherini currently leads as rector and where many E.U. officials receive training. The training project was awarded to the College of Europe, where Mogherini has served as rector since 2020, by the E.U. diplomatic arm she used to run."

Belgian authorities detained former E.U. foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini during raids on the European External Action Service and the College of Europe as part of a fraud and conflict of interest probe. The European Public Prosecutor's Office said three suspects were detained while investigating alleged corruption in awarding a 2021-2022 tender to run the EU Diplomatic Academy, a nine-month training program for junior diplomats. Investigators cited strong suspicions that confidential procurement information was shared with a candidate and are probing whether College of Europe representatives were informed about tender criteria. Mogherini has led the College of Europe since 2020 and previously served as EU chief diplomat from 2014-2019.

Read at The Washington Post