Belgian police raided several European Commission offices in Brussels on Thursday morning as part of an investigation into a controversial property sale.
According to foreign media, the case focuses on 23 EU-owned buildings sold in 2024 to Belgium's state investment fund, SFPIM, for 900 million euros.
The sales were carried out while Johannes Hahn was EU budget commissioner, although authorities have not suggested any wrongdoing on his part personally.
As further reported, the police conducted searches in numerous offices, including the Commission's budget department.
A spokesman for the European Public Prosecutor's Office said investigators are "collecting evidence as part of an ongoing investigation" but declined to comment further, citing the need not to jeopardise proceedings.
The Commission itself confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, but did not provide additional details.
The raids have attracted the attention of the media and political circles, highlighting scrutiny of how EU assets are managed and sold.
Officials say the investigation will continue in the coming days as authorities review documents and speak with staff.
For now, EU and Belgian authorities are keeping a tight focus, but Brussels is watching closely, and this is one of those stories where questions about transparency and high-value deals are likely to continue to be in the spotlight. /Telegrafi/
