far-right MP refutes accusations of pro-Russian funding

One of the main candidates of the German far-right AfD party in the European elections refuted Wednesday April 3 that he had received money from pro-Russian sources. Petr Bystron was implicated in a recently uncovered propaganda network financed by Moscow. “I did not accept money to defend pro-Russian positions”Petr Bystron, number two on the party list for the European elections in June, told the Funke media group.

Czech authorities announced that they had identified a network financed by Moscow responsible for spreading pro-Russian propaganda on Ukraine and extending its influence to the European Parliament. The network was based on a website called Voice of Europe.

Revelations in Czech media

Based in Prague, the portal would also have served as a support to finance candidates for the European elections deemed acceptable by Moscow, say media in Germany and the Czech Republic, with payments for the benefit of politicians from six countries: Poland , Hungary, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. According to the German weekly Spiegelthe money was either handed over in cash during meetings in Prague or transferred via cryptocurrency and the total amounts to “several hundred thousand euros”.

In a new article on Wednesday, the Czech media Denik K claims that the Czech secret services have audio recordings confirming the payment of money of Russian origin to Petr Bystron, responsible for foreign policy issues within the AfD. Petr Bystron has already given interviews in the past to Voice of Europe. The party leadership clarified that it was quickly awaiting explanations from the elected official on the accusations made against him.