Media: EU prosecutor probes far-right group over €4.3 million fund misuse

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has opened a formal investigation into allegations that the now-defunct far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group misused more than €4.3 million in EU funds between 2019 and 2024.

A spokesperson for EPPO confirmed the launch of the probe to Euractiv, stating that the investigation is ongoing but declined to provide further details, citing confidentiality. No individuals have been charged at this stage, and all parties are presumed innocent, Caliber.Az reports.

The case follows revelations from a draft audit by the European Parliament, which was partially reported last week by Le Monde, Die Zeit, and Austria’s Kontraste. According to the reports, the audit uncovered suspected irregularities in the ID group’s financial practices. These include alleged fictitious service contracts, violations of procurement rules, and improper donations to organisations linked to far-right figures, including Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s Rassemblement National.

Philip Claeys, the group’s former secretary-general, denied any wrongdoing.

“All payments made in the last five years have been duly invoiced, justified and controlled,” he told Le Monde.

EPPO, which investigates crimes that affect the EU’s financial interests, is working with national authorities on the case.

The ID group, which previously represented far-right parties including Le Pen’s Rassemblement National in the European Parliament, was dissolved following the June 2024 EU elections. It was succeeded by the newly formed Patriots for Europe group.

This latest probe adds to a series of legal challenges facing Le Pen and her party. In a separate case earlier this year, a Paris court convicted Le Pen of misusing EU funds related to parliamentary assistant roles and barred her from running for office for five years. She is currently appealing that decision.

Le Pen has rejected the new allegations, calling them politically motivated.

By Sabina Mammadli