BRUSSELS – Monday, March 16, 2026 – Stefano Sannino, a prominent Italian diplomat and former high-ranking European civil servant, has been arrested in a widening fraud and corruption investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). The arrest, carried out by Belgian federal police, marks a significant escalation in the probe into the alleged misuse of EU funds linked to a prestigious training scheme for junior diplomats.
The EPPO, in conjunction with Belgian federal police and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), has been investigating suspicions of procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, and violation of professional secrecy. The inquiry centers on the European Union Diplomatic Academy, specifically the awarding of a lucrative EU contract to the College of Europe between 2021 and 2022. Prosecutors allege that Sannino, along with former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and a senior College of Europe staff member, colluded to rig the tender process, ensuring the College’s successful bid.
The alleged scheme involved the illicit leaking of confidential information, such as selection criteria, to the College of Europe prior to the tender’s official publication. This pre-disclosure would have provided the College with an unfair and illegal advantage over other potential bidders, constituting a clear breach of Article 169 of the EU Financial Regulation on fair competition. The contract for the inaugural nine-month training program of the EU Diplomatic Academy was valued at approximately €650,000 (around $750,000). Beyond this initial contract, investigators are also scrutinizing the College of Europe’s €3.2 million purchase of a building in Bruges in 2022, intended to house academy participants – a move made conspicuously just before the tender was awarded.
Who Is Stefano Sannino?
Stefano Sannino, 66, is an Italian national with a distinguished career in diplomacy and European affairs. Born on December 24, 1959, he has held numerous influential roles, including Secretary-General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) from 2021 to 2025, and Director-General for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf (DG MENA) at the European Commission until his early retirement in December 2025. His extensive resume also includes serving as Italian Ambassador to Spain and Italy’s Permanent Representative to the EU, as well as Director-General for Enlargement of the European Commission.
The investigation into Sannino and his alleged co-conspirators began after OLAF received initial accusations concerning the misuse of EU public money. Coordinated raids were conducted on December 2, 2025, by Belgian federal police at the EEAS premises in Brussels, the College of Europe campus in Bruges, and the private residences of the suspects. Sannino, Mogherini, and the third individual were detained and formally notified of the accusations, though they were released overnight as they were not deemed a flight risk. Following these events, Sannino announced his early retirement from his DG MENA post, effective at the end of December 2025, and Mogherini resigned from her roles at the College of Europe. Despite his retirement, Euractiv reported in February 2026 that Sannino had returned to work at the Italian foreign ministry in Rome.
As of his arrest on Monday, March 16, 2026, Stefano Sannino faces formal accusations of procurement fraud and corruption, conflict of interest, and violation of professional secrecy. Under Belgian law, an individual named as a suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent courts. Details regarding upcoming court dates, potential sentences, or asset freezes are not yet publicly available. The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are anticipated as prosecutors continue to gather evidence and build their case.
“This arrest sends a clear message that the European Union’s institutions are not immune to scrutiny, and that alleged breaches of financial integrity will be pursued rigorously by the EPPO.”
This related fraud investigations highlights critical red flags that should serve as warnings for all organizations dealing with public funds. The alleged dual roles and potential conflicts of interest, particularly Federica Mogherini’s position as Rector of the College of Europe and Director of the EU Diplomatic Academy while the College was awarded the contract by the EEAS (where Sannino held a senior position), are paramount concerns. The suspicion of privileged information access, where one bidder allegedly received confidential details before official publication, fundamentally undermines fair competition. Furthermore, the College of Europe’s €3.2 million building purchase in Bruges, made under financial pressure and just prior to the tender award, raises questions about financial foresight and potential anticipation of securing the contract. These incidents underscore the need for robust oversight mechanisms, stringent internal controls, and absolute transparency in all procurement processes to protect public trust and prevent the misuse of funds. Readers should remain vigilant for signs of undue influence, unusual financial transactions, and a lack of transparency in contracting procedures, particularly when public money is involved.
