Prosecutors claim police search European Parliament for suspected Russian interference

Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office conducted searches at the residence and office of a European Parliament employee in Brussels, suspecting Russian interference. The raids also extended to the suspect’s office in Strasbourg, where the EU Parliament’s headquarters are located, in collaboration with Eurojust and French judicial authorities.

The investigation, initiated by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo last month, revealed a network attempting to undermine support for Ukraine. Prosecutors stated that the searches were part of a case involving interference, passive corruption, and membership of a criminal organization, with indications of Russian interference through the promotion of propaganda via the Voice of Europe news website.

The employee in question is believed to have played a significant role in this scheme. The EU recently banned Voice of Europe and three other Russian media outlets from broadcasting in the bloc, citing Kremlin control and targeting of European political parties, particularly during election periods.

De Croo emphasized that members of the European Parliament were approached and offered money to promote Russian propaganda, with Moscow’s clear objective being to elect more pro-Russian candidates and reinforce a pro-Russian narrative within the institution. EU nations have shown support for Ukraine through financial aid, weaponry, and sanctions on Russian officials and sectors since the invasion in February 2022.

The upcoming Europe-wide polls to elect a new EU parliament on June 6-9 add urgency to the investigation, highlighting the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process against foreign interference.