Several nations are investigating potential corruption within the NATO procurement process, which is managed by the US.
Police in multiple countries have made arrests and conducted searches related to a corruption investigation involving current and former personnel of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
The raids, coordinated by Eurojust, the EU’s agency for criminal justice cooperation, occurred in Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and the United States. NATO informed the Luxembourg Times that the NSPA headquarters in Luxembourg initiated the investigation.
Spokeswoman Allison Hart stated that NATO, including the NSPA, is collaborating with law enforcement to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that they are actively working to improve their ability to reduce risks and eliminate misconduct.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told reporters that the alliance is cooperating with authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Luxembourg’s public prosecutor’s office reported the seizure of documents related to suspicions that NSPA employees had abused their positions for personal gain.
Two individuals were arrested in Belgium and three in the Netherlands, according to officials. Belgian prosecutors indicated that the investigation is focused on possible irregularities in awarding contracts to defense contractors for military equipment purchases for NATO, including ammunition and drones. The investigation is also examining the potential sharing of confidential information by NSPA employees with defense companies, as well as money laundering.
Dutch authorities reported the arrest of a former Dutch Defense Ministry official at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The former civil servant is suspected of accepting bribes in 2023 related to the awarding of defense contracts.
The investigation occurs as NATO members explore ways to strengthen their defenses and increase weapons production for Ukraine. In March, the European Commission announced plans to raise €800 billion ($896 billion) to strengthen the EU’s defense capabilities.
“`