FLASH — Belgian authorities carried out coordinated searches at European Commission offices in Brussels on 12 as part of an inquiry into a series of property transactions completed this year.
The operation was carried out under the direction of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), with Belgian judges issuing the search authorisations. Investigators said they were looking for contracts, emails and other records tied to the sale of several EU-owned properties that were transferred to the Belgian state. Officials stressed the action was targeted at documents and transactions, not at the institution as a whole.
Searches of EU premises are uncommon and politically sensitive. Reporters at the scene describe heightened security around the affected buildings and a cautious atmosphere as teams catalogued seized materials. Authorities have so far released only limited details: they have not identified every site searched or listed the documents taken.
Why this happened Sources close to the investigation say the searches followed evidence suggesting possible irregularities in how some transfers were handled. The EPPO is leading the inquiry because the case involves EU-level interests; Belgian judicial authorities executed the measures locally. Investigators are focusing on whether decision-making and financial flows around the 2026 sales complied with procurement, ethics and governance rules.
Legal framework and procedure Investigators acted after obtaining judicial authorisations under applicable Belgian and European rules. That coordination model allows EU prosecutors to direct local law enforcement without handing over control of the investigation. Officials emphasise that judicial oversight governed every step of the operation.
What investigators are looking for Prosecutors want paperwork and electronic records that can reconstruct how the sales were approved and executed — contracts, valuations, correspondence and transaction logs. The aim is to trace who made key decisions, what rules were followed, and whether any irregularities occurred. No formal accusations against Commission staff have been announced.
Implications for the Commission and Belgian authorities For the European Commission, the probe could prompt internal reviews of asset-management practices and tighter safeguards on property disposals. For Belgian prosecutors, the work is criminal in nature: seized materials will be examined to decide whether to bring charges. If evidence points beyond Belgium, the inquiry could widen and involve other EU partners.
Impact on markets and future transactions Market participants expect similar deals to face closer scrutiny and longer timetables while valuation and approval procedures are reassessed. Politicians and watchdogs are already calling for greater transparency; prosecutors, however, have urged restraint while evidence is still being processed.
Public trust and transparency Maintaining confidence will require a careful balance: investigators must protect the integrity of the probe while being as open as legal constraints allow. Legal advisers warn that premature disclosure can damage evidence, but prolonged secrecy risks fuelling speculation. Voices on both sides — defenders of due process and advocates for stricter oversight — are making themselves heard.
What happens next Prosecutors will sift through the seized material and decide whether to open formal charges. Updates are expected as legal reviews progress; authorities have said they will provide further information when permissible. The investigation remains ongoing. Reporters at the scene confirm that investigators are still active and that additional developments are likely.