Office in European Parliament searched in Russian interference probe
Belgian investigators searched the office of an assistant at the European Parliament on Wednesday morning as part of an investigation into Russian interference, De Tijd writes.
The action, confirmed to Belga, is part of the judicial investigation into the news website Voice of Europe. The site came under scrutiny in March after Czech intelligence services revealed the existence of a Moscow-funded network spreading pro-Russian propaganda through Voice of Europe.
The network sought to influence the European elections to be held in June. In the wake of this case, Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo announced that Belgium's federal prosecutor had also launched an investigation into Russian interference in the European Parliament.
MEPs were allegedly paid to spread pro-Russian propaganda. In addition to a search of the office of an MEP assistant, the investigating judge ordered a search of the assistant's home in Schaerbeek. Investigators are said to have also searched his office in Strasbourg.
Voice of Europe was deployed from Prague to dissuade the European Union from helping Ukraine fight Russia. According to the Czech intelligence service BIS, the network was funded by Moscow.
Several European politicians allegedly collaborated with the site and were paid with Russian funds, which were also used to finance campaigns for the upcoming European elections.
Voice of Europe mainly featured far-right politicians. Earlier this month, the EU took the website offline and added it to the European sanctions list.
© PHOTO KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP
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