Belgian police have carried out a raid at the European Commission as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities linked to a €900 million property sale, according to the Financial Times.
Searches were conducted on Thursday morning at several Commission offices in Brussels, including the budget department, two people familiar with the operation told the newspaper.
Sale of 23 EU buildings
The investigation concerns the sale of 23 EU buildings to Belgium’s state investment fund, SFPIM, for €900 million in 2024.
At the time, the Commission stated that the transaction had been conducted through a tender process in line with EU financial regulations.
The period under scrutiny coincides with the tenure of Johannes Hahn, who served as EU Budget Commissioner and oversaw the management of the bloc’s €1 trillion budget until 2024. Following the end of his term, Hahn was appointed EU Special Envoy for Cyprus.
EPPO leading the probe
The investigation is being led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
An EPPO spokesperson confirmed that evidence-gathering activities are under way as part of an ongoing investigation.
“There is nothing further we can share at this stage, in order not to jeopardise the ongoing procedures and their outcome,” the spokesperson said.
No further details have been disclosed.
Source: CNNi