Belgian authorities have made three arrests following coordinated raids at the heart of the European Union's institutions in Brussels and a prestigious college in Bruges. The operation, conducted on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, is part of a major fraud investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).
Raids Target Key EU Institutions
Police executed searches at multiple locations, including several buildings of the College of Europe in Bruges and the headquarters of the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels. The EEAS serves as the diplomatic arm of the 27-nation bloc. The European Public Prosecutor's Office, an independent EU body, stated the raids targeted properties linked to suspects in the case.
Focus on Training Tender Fraud
The investigation revolves around "strong suspicions" of fraud in the awarding of a contract. The tender was for running a training programme at the EU Diplomatic Academy for junior diplomats, spanning from 2021 to 2022. Prosecutors are examining potential criminal offences including procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, and breaches of professional secrecy.
In a significant move, the EPPO has also requested that the immunity of several suspects be lifted, a common step in investigations involving EU staff. The office confirmed the investigation is ongoing to fully clarify the facts and assess any criminal liability.
Officials Tight-Lipped on Details
European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper acknowledged the raid on the EEAS building during a press briefing but declined to provide specifics about the investigation or the identities of those involved. Both the federal police and the prosecutor's office have also refrained from further comment at this stage.
The case highlights the EPPO's active role in tackling financial crime within EU institutions and associated bodies. The College of Europe in Bruges is a renowned postgraduate institution specialising in European studies, with many of its graduates taking up roles within the EU apparatus.
