Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Three people detained in searches of the University of Europe and the External Action Service facilities in Brussels. Fraud is suspected in connection with EU funding for the training of junior diplomats.
The former vice-president of the European Commission and current rector of the University of Europe Federica Mogherini was arrested this Tuesday following searches carried out by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office on suspicion of frauda source linked to the process told Lusa.
The searches took place “as part of an investigation into suspected fraud related to the EU funding for training junior diplomats“, says a statement released by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The source confirmed to Lusa that Mogherini, rector of the University of Europe since September 2020, was one of three people detained during the searches carried out at that academic institution in Bruges and at the facilities of the European Union (EU) External Action Service in Brussels. The released note states that the searches were carried out in “several buildings” of the University of Europe and the External Action Service, and also in the suspects’ homes.
Federica Mogherini was EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy between 2014 and 2019.
Diplomacy spokesperson Anitta Hipper clarified that the suspicions fall on activities carried out in the previous mandate, when this service was supervised by Joseph Borrell.
Paula Pinho, spokesperson for the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, did not confirm whether the three detained suspects are employees of the community executive.
At issue is a project by , an initiative to educate young people who want to enter a diplomatic career in EU member states.
Investigators from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office suspect that fair competition was put at risk and one of the candidates who proposed to receive EU funding had access to confidential information.
Before these searches began, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office requested the waiver of the immunity of several suspects, which was approved.
The External Action Service is supervised by the commissioner who assumes the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, which is currently Kaja Kalla. French President Emmanuel Macron and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola attended the University of Europe.
