Searches target former European Parliament group’s offices amid EU funds probe

By Seyma Erkul Dayanc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Searches were underway Wednesday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, targeting offices used by staff of the former Identity and Democracy group, French lawmaker Jean-Paul Garraud said.

“Since this morning, searches have been underway within the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where we are,” Garraud said on US social media company X.

The searches targeted offices used by staff of the now-dissolved Identity and Democracy group, of which France’s National Rally was a member, he said.

Garraud, who heads the National Rally’s delegation in the European Parliament, criticized the searches, linking them to unrest in France.

“While the streets of France are descending into chaos, this seems to be the public authorities’ priority,” he added.

“No one should be fooled by such harassment,” he further said.

The Identity and Democracy group was dissolved after the 2024 European Parliament elections. It included lawmakers from several parties, including France’s National Rally (RN).

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the group’s use of EU funds between 2019 and 2024 over suspected misappropriation, according to the office.

On June 30, the office announced searches in France, Spain, Italy and Belgium as part of the investigation.

Şeyma Erkul Dayanç