The European Commission confirmed this Tuesday, 2, that searches were carried out at the facilities of the European Union’s External Action Service (EU), in Brussels, but refused to confirm whether the three detainees are employees of the community executive.
Diplomacy spokesperson Anitta Hipper clarified that the suspicions fall on activities carried out in the previous mandate, when this service was supervised by Josep 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.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office today detained three people on suspicion of fraud following searches at the premises of the University of Europe, in the Belgian city of Bruges, and the European Union (EU) External Action Service, in Brussels.
“Searches are being carried out today at the University of Europe, in Bruges (Belgium) and at the EU External Action Service in Brussels, as part of an investigation into suspected fraud related to EU funding for the education of junior diplomats”, says a statement released by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
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.
At issue is a project by the European Union Diplomatic Academy – an initiative to instruct young people who want to enter a diplomatic career in EU member states.
European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigators suspect that fair competition was put at risk and one of the candidates proposing 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 responsible for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is currently Kaja Kallas.
French President Emmanuel Macron and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola attended the University of Europe.