On Wednesday, 21 October 2026, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office searched the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg. EPPO confirmed, as carried by France 24: an ongoing investigation “into the use of European funds by a former political group”. No further details, so as not to endanger the proceedings. Searches, not a conviction.

Mediafax, after AFP: the inquiry concerns the former Identity and Democracy group, the 2019–2024 term. ID dissolved after the 2024 elections. Patriots for Europe said the searches were in the former ID’s administrative offices, that there is “no legal continuity” and that today’s group is not targeted. A Patriots representative to AFP: the former ID secretary-general is the target; no elected member’s office is being searched.

The Brussels Times, after AFP: the office of Vlaams Belang MEP Philip Claeys, ID secretary between 2019 and 2024. Claeys is named in the reporting, not convicted. Jean-Paul Garraud, head of the National Rally delegation: the offices of former ID staff. Two wordings. EPPO has not published a list of names.

In July 2025 EPPO opened the case after the press quoted an internal Parliament report: ID was said to have spent irregularly €4.3 million between 2019 and 2024. That figure is from the quoted report, not from Wednesday’s statement. In June there were searches in several countries, including France. Another episode, the same inquiry.

Politico: Parliament’s finance department found, in 2025, irregular ID spending. A CONT opinion in September speaks of a possible repayment by Patriots if the inquiry closes and if “successor” rules apply. An opinion, not today’s order. Parliament, through a spokesperson: it cooperates, no further comment. Jordan Bardella declined to comment.

Dump Mediafax. The rewrite rests on France 24 and Politico. Nobody was convicted on Wednesday. Presumption of innocence.

Image: flags in front of the Louise Weiss building, Strasbourg, 8 December 2007, Syced, CC0, Wikimedia Commons. The building in 2007, not Wednesday’s searches.

Sources consulted: Prosecutors search European Parliament offices of far-right Patriots bloc in graft probe — France 24; Prosecutor searches far-right group offices in EU Parliament — Politico.