Overview
- EPPO said three suspects were informed of accusations — procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest and breach of professional secrecy — and released because they are not flight risks.
- Belgian federal police searched EEAS headquarters in Brussels, several College of Europe buildings in Bruges and private homes after EPPO obtained the lifting of immunity for suspects.
- The investigation focuses on whether fair‑competition rules were breached and if selection criteria or other confidential details were shared in advance with a bidder.
- EPPO described the other suspects as a senior College of Europe staff member and a senior European Commission official; multiple outlets reported the latter is Stefano Sannino.
- The College of Europe pledged full cooperation, the European Commission confirmed its services are assisting, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the allegations deeply shocking in a message to staff.