UPDATE 2-Former EU foreign policy chief Mogherini accused of fraud and corruption

* Mogherini, others, accused of procurement fraud, corruption by EPPO * Investigation involves EU-funded training for junior diplomats * Kallas seeks to reassure staff, emphasises presumption of innocence (Adds Mogherini comment on the accusation in paragraphs 4-5) By Charlotte Van Campenhout BRUSSELS, Dec 3 (Reuters) – Former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and two others have been formally accused of procurement fraud and corruption, conflict of interest and violation of professional secrecy, the European Public Prosecutor's Office said on Wednesday. The three individuals were detained on Tuesday as part of an EU fraud investigation and have now been released while the investigation is ongoing, EPPO said, adding they were not considered a flight risk. According to EPPO, the investigation concerns suspected fraud related to EU-funded training for junior diplomats. "Regarding the procedure to establish the European Union Diplomatic Academy, yesterday I clarified my position with the investigators acting on behalf of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office," Mogherini said in a statement. "I have full confidence in the justice system … I will obviously continue to offer my full collaboration to the authorities." EPPO referred to the other two suspects as a senior staff member at the College of Europe in Bruges and a senior official from the European Commission. Three sources told Reuters that one of the detainees was senior EU diplomat Stefano Sannino. Sannino could not be reached for comment. "All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent Belgian courts of law," EPPO also said. The arrests followed raids at the EU's diplomatic service in Brussels, at the College of Europe – an elite university in Bruges that educates many EU officials – and at the houses of suspects. Mogherini was the EU's high representative for foreign and security policy and head of its diplomatic service from 2014 to 2019. She became rector of the College of Europe in 2020. Mogherini and Sannino, both Italian nationals, are well known in Brussels diplomatic circles, and news of their detentions sent shockwaves through the EU community. In a letter sent to the staff of the EU's diplomatic service on Wednesday and seen by Reuters, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said "the allegations are deeply shocking but should in no way tarnish the good work that the vast majority of you are doing every day". "Please rest assured that we are fully cooperating with the investigation and providing complete transparency," she said, adding that "I would like to reiterate my confidence in the authorities that due process is observed and that the presumption of innocence is maintained." (Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout and Lili Bayer Editing by Sharon Singleton, Inti Landauro and Frances Kerry)

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