The three individuals under suspicion in the corruption investigation, including ex-EU foreign policy chief Mogherini and senior Commission official Stefano Sannino, have been formally informed of the charges brought against them. They were released from detention as they do not pose a flight risk.
Belgian authorities freed former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, European Commission official Stefano Sannino, and a third suspect following their interrogation in a corruption investigation. At this stage, no formal charges have been filed.
All three were taken into custody on Tuesday after the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) opened an inquiry into fraud linked to an EU-funded training academy designed for junior diplomats.
Mogherini served as the EU’s highest-ranking foreign policy representative at the European External Action Service (EEAS) from 2014 to 2019, during the Juncker Commission, before becoming the rector of the College of Europe in 2020. This institution, based in Bruges, maintains strong connections with EU bodies and functions as a training center for upcoming EU personnel.
Sannino holds the position of director at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA). Between 2021 and 2024, he also fulfilled the role of EEAS secretary general.
In February, Sannino assumed the role of director for DG MENA at the European Commission.
Details known so far
Authorities conducted searches at the College of Europe in Bruges and the European External Action Service offices in Brussels.
The EPPO stated in a press release on Wednesday morning that all three individuals received formal notification of the charges. It was also indicated that the third suspect is a senior staff member at the College of Europe and reportedly holds Italian nationality, according to Italian media sources.
«The allegations involve procurement fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest, and breaches of professional confidentiality. The suspects were released as they are not deemed a flight risk,» the statement explained.
The prosecutor emphasized that all individuals remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by Belgian courts.
The College of Europe declared its commitment to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
«The College continues to uphold the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and regulatory compliance in both academic and administrative affairs. It is taking all necessary steps to ensure ongoing operations run without disruption.»
The EPPO clarified that the investigation centers on whether the EEAS violated tendering procedures by disclosing information to the College of Europe before officially awarding the training project contract.
It is suspected that procurement rules were infringed upon during the tender process and that «confidential information related to the active procurement was shared with one of the participants in the tender.»