The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) carried out searches in the administrative offices of the far-right “Patriots for Europe” group in the European Parliament premises in Brussels and Strasbourg. The operations are part of an investigation into the alleged misuse of EU funds by the former “Identity and Democracy” (ID) group.
The “Patriots for Europe” group itself reported the searches on the social network X. According to its statement, the investigative actions began on Wednesday morning and concerned administrative premises. The group stressed that, in its view, the searches are linked to a complaint and investigation against the ID group, which was dissolved in 2024. It added that “Patriots for Europe” has no legal continuity with ID and is not a party to the ongoing investigation.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the searches had taken place. In its statement, the EPPO said the actions were conducted “as part of an ongoing investigation into the use of European funds by a former political group in the European Parliament.” Further details are not being released for the time being in order not to jeopardize the investigation.
According to MEPs and sources, the searches targeted, among other things, the offices of staff members of the former ID group. According to AFP and Le Monde, one of the key targets was Philip Claeys — the former secretary-general of ID (2019–2024) and the current secretary-general of the “Patriots for Europe” group. Searches of his offices in Strasbourg and Brussels were carried out by French and Belgian police.
In 2025, the European Parliament’s finance department established that the ID group had improperly spent approximately €4.3 million between 2019 and 2024. The irregularities involved breaches of tender rules, irregular donations, and the channeling of funds to companies and organizations linked to the group (including those supporting anti-abortion campaigns). On the basis of these findings, the EPPO opened a criminal investigation into offences against the EU budget. Earlier, on 30 June 2026, searches had already been conducted in several EU countries.
After the dissolution of ID in 2024, a significant number of its MEPs and staff members joined the new “Patriots for Europe” group. It is currently the third-largest group in the European Parliament. Jean-Paul Garraud, head of the French National Rally (RN) delegation in the European Parliament, stated that the searches concerned the offices of former ID staff members, not current MEPs. The group itself insists that the ongoing investigation does not concern it.
