EU prosecutors probe defunct far-right EU Parliament group linked to Le Pen

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - The European Public Prosecutor's Office has opened a formal investigation into allegations of misuse of EU funds by the now-defunct far-right Identity and Democracy group in the European Parliament, which included France's National Rally led by Marine Le Pen.

Tine Hollevoet, a spokesperson for the prosecutors, confirmed the probe to Anadolu on Tuesday but declined to provide further details to avoid jeopardizing the investigation's outcome.

According to a confidential European Parliament financial report cited by several European media outlets last week, the ID group allegedly misused around €4.3 million ($5 million) of EU funds between 2019 and 2024. The funds were reportedly spent on fictitious contracts, irregular tenders, and associations linked to far-right figures close to Le Pen.

Le Pen herself was previously found guilty by a French court in March of misusing EU funds for fake parliamentary jobs during her time as a member of the European Parliament.

The Identity and Democracy group ceased to exist in July 2024.