Raids at far-right group's offices at European Parliament

European Public Prosecutor's Office searches offices of far-right Patriots for Europe group in Brussels and Strasbourg.

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The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has been carrying out searches in administrative offices at the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg. The searches are linked to a complaint lodged against the Identity and Democracy (ID) Group, which dissolved in 2024.

The Patriots for Europe group, which formed out of the ashes of ID, has confirmed the activity around its offices but emphasized its distance from the case since its rebrand and reformation. The group stated that there is no legal continuity with the ID Group and that it is not involved in the ongoing investigations.

The European Parliament auditors concluded last year that ID members had misused at least €4.3 million (roughly $4.8 million) in EU funds during the previous legislative term from 2019 to 2024. The money flowed to companies close to the group and to associations supporting anti-abortion campaigners.

The case is reminiscent of, but separate from, the conviction against RN leader Marine Le Pen, herself a former MEP, that for a time looked set to stifle her bid for the French presidency.

The far-right European Parliament group of French presidential frontrunner Marine Le Pen's party said Wednesday EU prosecutors were searching its offices as part of a graft probe into its now-defunct predecessor. The Patriots for Europe group said the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) had been searching its administrative offices in Brussels and Strasbourg 'since this morning'.

The EPPO confirmed the searches, saying they were part of 'an ongoing investigation into the use of European funds by a former political group'. 'No further details will be made public for the time being, in order not to endanger the outcome of the proceedings,' it said.