Kathimerini Greece Newsroom
Belgian police raided several European Commission offices in Brussels Thursday morning as part of an investigation into a controversial property sale, sending a ripple through EU circles.
The case centers on 23 EU-owned buildings sold in 2024 to Belgium’s state investment fund, SFPIM, for €900 million. The sales took place while Johannes Hahn was the EU’s budget commissioner, though authorities haven’t suggested any wrongdoing by him personally.
Police carried out searches at multiple offices, including the Commission’s budget department. A spokesperson for the European Public Prosecutor’s Office said investigators are “gathering evidence as part of an ongoing investigation” but declined further comment, citing the need not to jeopardize proceedings. The Commission itself confirmed the investigation is underway but offered no additional details.
The raids have drawn attention from media and political circles alike, highlighting the scrutiny on 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, the EU and Belgian authorities are keeping the focus tight, but Brussels is watching closely, this is one of those stories where questions about transparency and high-value deals are likely to keep headlines coming.
