Media: Ex-EU top diplomat released after detention on fraud allegations

Federica Mogherini, Rector of the College of Europe and former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, was detained on December 2 in connection with a fraud investigation and released around 1:00 AM on December 3, sources familiar with the probe told AGI.

Mogherini and former Secretary-General of the European External Action Service, Ambassador Stefano Sannino (currently Director-General of the Directorate-General for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation), were taken in for questioning as part of a European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigation into alleged fraud related to EU-funded training programs for young diplomats.

At dawn, the Federal Police conducted searches at several College of Europe buildings in Bruges, at the headquarters of the European External Action Service in Brussels, and at the homes of the suspects.

The investigation was also supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), which, according to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, requested and obtained the lifting of immunity for the suspects prior to the searches.

By Khagan Isayev