Belgian police on Thursday searched the premises of the European Commission (EC) in Brussels in connection with the investigation into the sale of state real estate in Belgium in 2024. According to a source close to the investigation, quoted by AFP, there are suspicions of possible irregularities in this transaction. The subject of the investigation is the sale of 23 buildings worth approximately 900 million euros.
- The Belgian police searched the premises of the European Commission in Brussels.
- The investigation concerns the sale of 23 state buildings in Belgium.
- The European Commission claims that the process was in accordance with the rules.
- The buildings were bought by the Belgian state fund for further reconstruction.
- The results of the investigation may affect the credibility of the European Commission.
In its statement, the European Commission stated that the sales process took place in accordance with applicable regulations. At the same time, she emphasized her commitment to transparency and accountability and promised full cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and the Belgian authorities. The EPPO confirmed it was taking steps to gather evidence, but declined to provide further details so as not to jeopardize the progress of the investigation.
Tours in Brussels
According to the Financial Times, on Thursday morning the police searched several offices of the EC in Brussels, including the department responsible for the budget. The sale of the properties took place during the mandate of the previous European Commission, when Johannes Hahn was Commissioner for the Budget. This move was part of a wider strategy to reduce the EC’s office space by a quarter, which was a consequence of the increased number of employees working from home during the coronavirus pandemic.
The buildings that were the subject of sale were bought by the Belgian state investment fund. He planned to renovate them in order to increase their sustainability and then sell them as commercial and residential premises. This project was part of a broader plan to transform the European Quarter in Brussels into a space that will be more adapted to the needs of the residents.
Suspicion of irregularities
The investigation focuses on possible irregularities in the sale of real estate, while details of specific suspicions have not yet been released. AFP reports that the aim of the sale was not only to reduce the costs of operating the office space, but also to support the sustainability and modernization of the buildings. However, the Belgian police and the EPPO are checking whether the whole process took place in accordance with the rules and without breaking the law.
Although the investigation is still at an early stage, its results could have a significant impact on the credibility of the EC and its procedures for managing public resources. However, at this point, it remains questionable whether the suspicions will be confirmed or whether it was a standard process that was misinterpreted.
