Belgian police have raided the Brussels headquarters of the European External Action Service (EEAS) as part of an investigation into suspected procurement fraud linked to an EU-funded training programme for junior diplomats.

The College of Europe in Bruges, which receives financing from EU institutions, was also searched, along with the private residences of individuals allegedly connected to the case. Authorities confirmed that three people have been detained. The operation was launched at the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), which is examining possible wrongdoing in the award of the European Union Diplomatic Academy project.

The programme, designed as a nine-month training course for young diplomats, was tendered in 2021 and 2022 and awarded to the College of Europe. EPPO said it holds “strong suspicions” that confidential information related to the ongoing procurement process was improperly shared with the College ahead of the contract’s award. If confirmed, the conduct could constitute procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest and breaches of professional secrecy.

In a statement, the EEAS said it could confirm that Belgian police were present on its premises on Tuesday morning. The spokesperson declined to comment on whether any of the detained individuals include EU officials but stressed that the alleged activities under investigation date back to a previous mandate of the institution.

The case may prove politically sensitive. The College of Europe is currently led by former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who headed the EEAS from 2014 to 2019. She was succeeded by Josep Borrell, with Estonia’s Kaja Kallas taking over the post in December 2024. There is no suggestion that the school’s leadership was involved.

EPPO’s statement emphasised that the investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors work to establish whether any criminal offences were committed during the tendering process. Belgian police have not yet issued a public comment on the operation.