Former EU Diplomat Federica Mogherini Among Those Charged in Brussels Corruption Probe

High-Profile Arrests Rock Brussels Institutions

Brussels is currently grappling with a significant corruption scandal following the arrests and subsequent charges filed against prominent figures associated with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the College of Europe. On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Belgian federal police, acting under the direction of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) and supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), conducted coordinated raids at the EEAS headquarters in Brussels, the College of Europe in Bruges, and several private residences. Three individuals were detained for questioning, including Federica Mogherini, former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and current Rector of the College of Europe, and Stefano Sannino, former EEAS Secretary-General and currently a Director-General at the European Commission.

On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the EPPO announced that charges of procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, and violation of professional secrecy were formally filed against the three individuals. All three were later released from custody, as they are not considered a flight risk.

Focus on Diplomatic Academy Tender

The core of the investigation revolves around alleged irregularities in the tender process for the EU Diplomatic Academy, a nine-month training program for junior diplomats. This program was awarded by the EEAS to the College of Europe for the 2021-2022 period. Prosecutors suspect that confidential information regarding the selection criteria for the tender may have been shared with the College of Europe in advance, potentially breaching fair competition rules under Article 169 of the EU Financial Regulation.

Investigators are also examining the circumstances surrounding the College of Europe's purchase of a €3.2 million property in Bruges, which was suitable for student accommodation required by the tender, shortly before the EEAS awarded it €654,000 for the program.

Key Figures and Institutional Links

The individuals charged hold significant positions within the European institutional landscape:

• Federica Mogherini served as the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy from 2014 to 2019. She became Rector of the College of Europe in 2020 and also took the helm of the EU Diplomatic Academy in 2022.
• Stefano Sannino was the Secretary-General of the EEAS from 2021 to 2025, serving under Mogherini during the period when the Diplomatic Academy was created. He currently holds a Director-General position at the European Commission.
• The third individual detained is reportedly a senior official or deputy rector from the College of Europe.

The College of Europe, often referred to as the 'finishing school' for Eurocrats, has vowed to 'fully cooperate' with the probe, emphasizing its commitment to 'the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and compliance'.

Political Reactions and Hungarian Commentary

The arrests have triggered strong reactions, particularly from Hungarian officials. Zoltán Kovács, spokesman for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, commented on the raids, stating that they 'expose a system' and questioned Brussels' credibility on the 'rule of law'. Hungarian MEP Kinga Gál echoed this sentiment, calling the situation 'staggering hypocrisy'. These officials have linked the scandal to broader criticisms of what they describe as the EU's 'pro-war, pro-Ukraine political establishment' and a 'war mafia' whose influence extends into Brussels institutions.

Ongoing Investigation

The EPPO has stated that the investigation is ongoing to clarify the facts and assess whether any criminal offenses have occurred. All individuals involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent Belgian courts.