🏛️🔍 EPPO raids European Commission over property sale investigation

Oneliner

Belgian police raided the European Commission's offices on 12 February 2026 as part of an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) into possible irregularities in a €900 million property sale to the Belgian state. The sale involved 23 buildings and aimed to modernize Brussels's European quarter. The Commission has pledged full cooperation with the investigation, asserting that the sale complied with established procedures. The EPPO is currently gathering evidence as part of its inquiry.

Key points

• Belgian police conducted raids on European Commission offices as part of an EPPO investigation into a €900 million property sale.
• The investigation focuses on the sale of 23 buildings to the Belgian state in 2024, raising integrity concerns.
• The European Commission has pledged full cooperation with the EPPO and maintains confidence in the sale's compliance with regulations.
• The EPPO is tasked with combating fraud against EU funds and is currently gathering evidence related to the case.

Links

• La Libre: Des locaux de la Commission européenne perquisitionnés ce jeudi à Bruxelles
• la Repubblica: Bruxelles, blitz della polizia nella sede della Commissione europea
• ANSA: Blitz della polizia nella Commissione Ue: 'Presunte irregolarità sulla vendita di immobili'
• Le Monde: Perquisition à la Commission européenne en vue d’une enquête sur la vente de 23 immeubles à l’Etat belge
• Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: Razzia bei EU-Kommission wegen Immobilien-Deal
• TGCOM24: Bruxelles, blitz della polizia nei locali della Commissione Ue: "Presunte irregolarità su vendita di immobili"
• Die Welt: Verkauf von Immobilien: Europäische Staatsanwaltschaft ermittelt gegen EU-Kommission
• Corriere della Sera: Bruxelles, perquisiti gli uffici della commissione Ue. Si indaga sulla vendita di immobili
• El País: La policía belga registra dependencias de la Comisión Europea
• Politico: Belgian police raid EU Commission buildings in property sale probe
• Die Welt: Ermittlungen gegen EU-Kommission wegen Immobilienverkäufen - WELT
• RAI News: Vendita irregolare di immobili, la polizia belga fa irruzione nella Commissione europea
• T-Online: Razzia bei EU-Kommission: Staatsanwaltschaft prüft Immobilienverkäufe

Facts

• The sale of 23 Commission buildings to the Belgian state was finalized on 29 April 2024.
• The transaction was valued at approximately €900 million.
• The European Commission aims to reduce its office space by 25% by 2030.
• The EPPO is responsible for investigating fraud against the EU's financial interests.

Quotes

• The Commission will fully cooperate with the EPPO and the competent Belgian authorities, providing all necessary information for a thorough and independent investigation — European Commission spokesperson.
• We are confident that the process was conducted in accordance with the rules — European Commission spokesperson.

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