Belgian police raid European Commission offices as part of investigation into property sales

Brussels – According to the Financial Times, Belgian police raided the European Commission’s offices in Brussels as part of an investigation into a 2024 property deal with the Belgian state. The searches took place this morning (12 February) at several EU Commission locations, including the premises housing the budget department. The European executive said it was “aware of an ongoing investigation” into the sale of 23 Commission buildings worth around €900 million.

This operation revolves around the sale of EU-owned properties during the previous European Parliament term, when Johannes Hahn was the Commissioner for Budget. A spokesperson for the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), Tine Hollevoet, confirmed that “evidence gathering activities have been carried out as part of an ongoing investigation.” “We cannot share any further information at this stage in order not to prejudice the ongoing proceedings and their outcome,” the spokeswoman added.