Belgian police released former EU top diplomat Federica Mogherini and former foreign service chief Stefano Sannino from custody after they were held for questioning in relation to a fraud probe, the EU’s public prosecutor said Wednesday morning.
Mogherini, the rector of the College of Europe, Sannino and a staff member of the College of Europe were detained Tuesday in connection to an investigation into whether the public tender awarded by the European External Action Service (EEAS) in 2021-22 to a higher education institution to host the EU Diplomatic Academy was rigged in favor of the College of Europe.
“The accusations concern procurement fraud and corruption, conflict of interest and violation of professional secrecy. They were released, as they are not considered a flight risk,” the prosecutor’s statement said.
The allegations are not proven and Mogherini, Sannino and the other individual detained are presumed innocent until deemed guilty by a court.