NewsEuropean Parliament Members Accused of Spreading Russian Propaganda
European Parliament Members Accused of Spreading Russian Propaganda
1 April 2024 18:46
During a debate in the Belgian parliament, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo disclosed that some members of the European Parliament were paid to disseminate Russian propaganda. However, he did not specify any individuals involved.
"For instance, it emerged that Russia had not only approached MEPs but also compensated them for spreading Russian propaganda here," De Croo mentioned amidst a discussion on foreign interference.
An official spokesperson for the Belgian Prime Minister later clarified in a discussion with the news portal Politico that De Croo's comments referred to the Czech government's action of imposing sanctions on the Voice of Europe service, which, as Prague asserts, was a component of a Russian influence scheme.
On Wednesday, the Czech civilian counter-intelligence agency, Security Information Service (BIS), uncovered a network orchestrated by Russians aimed at swaying the European Parliament elections. Czech media reported that this revealed network sought to influence politicians across six countries: Poland, Hungary, Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Following a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, which BIS chief Michal Koudelka attended, Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced the decision to place two individuals and one company on the Czech sanctions list after receiving intelligence from the agencies.
The sanctions targeted Viktor Medvedchuk and Artem Marchevsky, both businessmen and politicians from Ukraine with close ties to the Kremlin. The sanctions also affected the Voice of Europe company utilized by Medvedchuk, which was registered in the Czech Republic to a Polish citizen. Additional specifics were not made public. The inclusion on the list was rationalized by their "promotion of the Russian Federation's foreign policy interests and their engagement in political and propaganda activities undermining the territorial integrity, independence, stability, and security of Ukraine."
Moreover, the sanctioned company's assets were frozen, preventing any transfer of assets abroad. However, its operations in the Czech Republic were not formally prohibited.
The Deputy Spokeswoman for the European Parliament, Delphine Colard, noted that the Parliament is "analyzing the findings" from the Czech authorities concerning Voice of Europe.
Reported from Brussels by Artur Ciechanowicz (PAP) and from Prague by Piotr Górecki (PAP).
