Brussels, Belgium. Johannes Hahn, the European Union’s special envoy for Cyprus, has been linked to an investigation into the €900 million sale of EU properties after Belgian federal police raided European Commission offices.
The searches are part of a probe into potential irregularities tied to property transactions carried out during Hahn’s tenure overseeing the EU’s finances.
Police searches and scope of the investigation
Belgian federal police carried out searches in several European Commission buildings in Brussels, including the budget department, as part of the investigation.
The raids were first reported by the Financial Times and relate to the 2024 sale of 23 buildings to Belgium’s state investment fund SFPIM for €900 million.
Hahn’s role and subsequent appointment
Hahn previously served as Commissioner for Budget and Administration and was responsible for managing the EU’s €1 trillion budget until the end of the previous Commission’s mandate in 2024.
He was subsequently appointed as the bloc’s special envoy for Cyprus.
Prosecutors’ statement and responses
The investigation is being led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. A spokesperson, Tine Holevoet, said “evidence-gathering activities are being carried out in the framework of an ongoing investigation,” adding that “nothing further can be disclosed at this stage so as not to jeopardise the procedure and its outcome”.
When the transaction was concluded, the European Commission said the sale had been conducted through a competitive tender process and in compliance with EU financial regulations.
The EU’s anti-fraud office, OLAF, declined to comment to the Financial Times, as did the Belgian federal police. The European Commission, SFPIM and Hahn did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Next steps
Authorities are seeking to determine whether EU rules were breached in the disposal of the properties, with the inquiry described as being at an early stage.
What do you think should be clarified next about the EU property sale process under investigation?
