The International Federation of Journalists has condemned the arrest in Brussels of a reporter who specialises in exposing EU corruption.

Hans-Martin Tillack of the German weekly Stern was arrested and held for 10 hours. His house and offices were searched on the orders of a Belgian judge on behalf of the European AntiFraud Office.

It followed publication of an article by Tillack about possible fraud within the European Parliament.

IFJ general secretary Aidan White said: “This appears to be a fishing expedition by police and security forces to try to expose where the journalist got his information and who he has been speaking to.”