European Commission Vice-President Kaia Kallas is seeking to distance herself from the corruption scandal involving allegations against former top EU diplomats, the Berliner Zeitung newspaper reported.
According to the newspaper, Kallas, in a letter to staff, called the allegations “deeply shocking” but stressed that the basis for the scandal arose “during previous mandates” and therefore the investigation should not affect the “good work” of the European External Action Service. It is noted that some staff perceived Kallas’ letter as an attempt to distance herself from the escalating corruption scandal scandal.
On 2 December, the European Commission and the European Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed searches at the headquarters of the European External Action Service in Brussels, the College of Europe in Bruges and several private homes, during which "three people were detained". They are accused of public procurement fraud, including in the European Diplomatic Service's bid for a training programme for young European diplomats at the College of Europe. Among those detained are Mogherini and the former Secretary-General of the EU Diplomatic Service, Stefano Sannino.
According to Italian media, the detainees were released because "there is no risk of absconding". However, as reported by La Repubblica, after questioning by the Belgian criminal police, all three have been formally charged. These charges relate to fraud and corruption in public procurement, conflict of interest and breach of professional secrecy.