EU prosecutors search premises in France and Belgium in probe into former Parliament group

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) carried out searches on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, and confirmed them publicly. According to the EPPO, the searches took place on premises in France and Belgium.

The EPPO said the searches are part of "an ongoing investigation into the use of European funds by a former political group", France 24 reported. The EPPO did not name the group. "No further details will be made public for the time being, in order not to endanger the outcome of the proceedings," the EPPO said, according to France 24.

The Patriots for Europe (PfE) group said in a statement that searches had been under way since the morning at administrative offices at the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg. This is consistent with the EPPO's reference to Belgium and France.

PfE said the searches appeared linked to a complaint against the Identity and Democracy (ID) group. ID was dissolved in 2024. It included France's National Rally (RN), Italy's Lega and the Alternative for Germany (AfD), among other parties. PfE was formed after the 2024 European Parliament elections. It is now the Parliament's third-largest group.

A European Parliament report cited a figure of €4.3 million in EU funds connected to ID during the 2019–2024 term.

According to France 24, the EPPO announced formal investigations in July last year after media quoted the parliamentary report. France 24 also reported a series of raids in France and other countries in June as part of the same probe. DW reported that the ID funds case is separate from the conviction of RN leader Marine Le Pen.

What is disputed

Which offices were searched. PfE referred to administrative offices at the Parliament. France 24 describes them as offices belonging to the Patriots group. RN lawmaker Jean-Paul Garraud said the searches targeted "the offices of staff members of the former Identity and Democracy group", according to DW. Le Monde reported that police raided the offices of the PfE secretary general. DW and France 24 describe the searches as carried out by the EPPO and do not mention the secretary general's offices.

What the Parliament report found. According to DW, Parliament auditors concluded that ID members misused at least €4.3 million, which went to companies close to the group and to associations supporting anti-abortion campaigners. France 24 reported that media quoted the report as saying ID was suspected of improperly spending €4.3 million, most of it going to an adviser of Marine Le Pen and his wife.

What each side says

PfE said: "The Patriots for Europe Group emphasizes that there is no legal continuity with the ID Group and that it is not involved in the ongoing investigations," according to DW.

Garraud, who heads the RN delegation according to France 24, criticised the authorities' priorities in a post on X: "While the streets of France are tipping into chaos, the authorities’ priority appears to be this," France 24 quoted him as saying.

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi give differing accounts of whose offices were searched and do not say whether anyone is a formal suspect or what, if anything, was seized.

Analysis

The searches show the EPPO's investigation is still active, but its scope remains unclear. The EPPO has not named the group. The link to ID comes from PfE and press reports. Accounts of where the €4.3 million went also differ, and so do accounts of whether the report found misuse or only suspected it. Several outcomes are possible. Prosecutors could identify suspects, bring charges or close parts of the case. PfE's position that it has no legal continuity with ID may be tested if investigators examine staff or assets that moved between the groups. Until the EPPO releases more details, conclusions about individual responsibility would be premature.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.