The European Union diplomatic academy procurement fraud investigation, that began in December 2025 by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), to investigate suspected fraud related to EU-funded training for junior diplomats. The investigation looks at possible violations of fair competition rules, including the unfair sharing of secret tender information with the College of Europe, which received the contract. Three people, including former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, have been charged with procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, and breaking rules on professional secrecy. The investigation led to the resignations of Stefano Sannino and Federica Mogherini. [1]
The European Diplomatic Academy is a nine-month training program for young diplomats from EU countries. It is paid for by the European External Action Service (EEAS), which spent about €654,000 on the 2021–2022 program. The College of Europe in Bruges won the contract to run the program after a public tender process, which was supposed to follow fair competition rules under Article 169 of the EU Financial Regulation. EPPO investigators now suspect that the rules were not properly followed. They believe that the selection criteria and other important confidential details were given to the College of Europe before the tender was officially published. This could have influenced the result, at a time when the college was under financial pressure, including a €3.2 million building purchase in 2022. [2] [3] [4]
The December 2025 investigation began following EU officials sending information to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). It was then passed to EPPO, with aid of Belgian authorities in West Flanders. On 2 December 2025, Belgian federal police carried out coordinated raids on the College of Europe in Bruges, at the EEAS headquarters in Brussels, and at several private homes. During the raids three suspects were arrested among them former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, after their legal immunities were removed. [5] EPPO said there are “strong suspicions” that crimes were committed that affected how EU money was used. During the operation, police confiscated documents interviewed several people. [6] [3]
On 3 December, 2025, Belgian prosecutors officially charged the suspects with procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, and breaking rules about professional secrecy. [7] They were all released because they were not considered likely to run away. Federica Mogherini, was one of the people detained, While the others include senior diplomat Stefano Sannino and a deputy or manager from the College of Europe. The charges are linked to actions that took place under the previous EEAS leadership of Josep Borrell, before Kaja Kallas became High Representative in December 2024. [7] [6]
The College of Europe pledged full cooperation, saying it is committed to integrity and compliance. EEAS and European Commission spokespeople confirmed the searches but deferred to investigators, noting the focus on past activities. Media described the case as a "political earthquake" eroding trust in EU institutions amid global tensions, with EPPO emphasizing the presumption of innocence as the probe continues. [3] [2]