(MENAFN) Former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini was released after being formally notified of charges in an ongoing probe into suspected fraud involving EU-funded training for junior diplomats, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) said Wednesday.

At the request of EPPO in Brussels, Mogherini, together with a senior College of Europe staff member in Bruges and a senior European Commission official, was detained by the Belgian Federal Judicial Police on Tuesday.

Following questioning, all individuals were formally informed of the allegations, which relate to procurement fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest, and violations of professional secrecy, the statement said.

They were released after detention, as authorities determined they did not pose a flight risk.

EPPO emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, cautioning that no additional details can be disclosed at this stage to avoid compromising its outcome. The office also reiterated that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty before the competent Belgian courts.

EPPO is an independent EU prosecution body tasked with investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating crimes that affect the financial interests of the bloc.

MENAFN04122025000045017281ID1110435454