Belgian federal police have raided European Commission offices in Brussels amid a widening probe into the €900 million sale of EU properties linked to Johannes Hahn. Hahn, now the EU’s special envoy for Cyprus, oversaw the bloc’s finances when the transactions took place.
Investigation details
The searches targeted several Commission buildings, including the budget department. Authorities are examining potential irregularities in the sale of 23 buildings to Belgium’s state investment fund, SFPIM, in 2024.
Johannes Hahn managed the EU’s €1 trillion budget until the end of the previous Commission mandate in 2024. The inquiry is led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, which confirmed that evidence-gathering is underway but declined to provide further details, citing procedural confidentiality.
Hahn’s 14 Years in the EU
Johannes Hahn served as a European Commissioner for 14 years, from 2010 until 2024, working under Presidents José Manuel Barroso, Jean‑Claude Juncker, and Ursula von der Leyen.
During his tenure, he held two terms as Commissioner for Regional Policy, one term as Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy, and concluded his service in Brussels as Commissioner for Budget and Administration.
He is a member of Austria’s centre‑right People’s Party, which is part of the EPP—the same European grouping as Christodoulides and DISY.
Background on the transaction
At the time of the sale, the European Commission stated that the properties were sold via a competitive tender process and complied with EU financial rules. The EU anti-fraud office, OLAF, and Belgian federal police declined to comment. Johannes Hahn, SFPIM, and the European Commission did not respond to requests for comment.
Authorities are now reviewing whether the property disposal breached EU regulations. The investigation remains at an early stage.
Also read: Cyprus villa seized from former Otkritie Bank chief
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