Belgian police conducted searches at the residence and offices of a European Parliament employee on Wednesday as part of an investigation into alleged bribery to promote Russian propaganda. The operation, carried out in cooperation with French authorities and the EU’s judicial cooperation agency Eurojust, took place just days before the European elections scheduled for June 6-9.
The Belgian federal prosecutor’s office confirmed that searches were conducted at the employee’s apartment in Brussels, as well as at the European Parliament offices in both Brussels and Strasbourg. This investigation is linked to allegations that Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) were bribed to spread Russian propaganda via the Voice of Europe website, aiming to undermine support for Ukraine.
The probe, announced last month by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, follows findings by Belgian intelligence services of a network attempting to influence the European Parliament in favor of pro-Russian narratives. The investigation revealed that Russian groups were allegedly meddling in the upcoming elections to promote pro-Russian candidates.
The employee under investigation, identified by multiple sources as Guillaume Pradoura, works for MEP Marcel de Graaff of the far-right Dutch party Forum for Democracy. Pradoura previously worked for Maximilian Krah of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, who is also under scrutiny for potential espionage and corruption.
Marcel de Graaff denied any involvement in the disinformation operation, stating on social media, “For me, all this comes as a complete surprise. By the way, I have no involvement in any so-called Russian disinformation operation whatsoever.”
The investigation comes amid heightened concerns over foreign interference in European politics. The EU recently banned Voice of Europe and other Russian media outlets from broadcasting within the bloc, citing their control by the Kremlin and their targeting of European political parties, particularly during election periods.
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