Overview
- Belgian police acting for the European Public Prosecutor searched EEAS offices in Brussels, the College of Europe in Bruges, and several private homes earlier this week.
- Three people were detained for questioning, including Federica Mogherini and former EEAS secretary-general Stefano Sannino, before being released without charges.
- Italian media reported the releases were granted because authorities assessed no risk of absconding.
- Euractiv reported that Mogherini resigned as director of the College of Europe following reports that Sannino also stepped down.
- The inquiry centers on suspected manipulation of tenders tied to EU diplomatic training contracts, while Russian officials and commentators portray the case as proof of wider EU corruption and predict it could expand.