What we know about suspicions of corruption of MEPs by a pro-Russian influence network

According to Czech and Polish intelligence, this network spread Moscow propaganda through a website. A Czech media outlet claims that elected officials in the European Parliament were paid in return for interviews.

Were MEPs paid by Russia to carry out propaganda for Moscow? A year after Qatargate and with the European elections approaching in June, a new affair revives fears of foreign interference within the European Parliament. The Czech and Polish intelligence services reported extensive operations, Wednesday March 27 and Thursday March 28, targeting a network of influence financed by Moscow. He is suspected of having spread pro-Russian propaganda on the war in Ukraine, in particular via the Voice of Europe website. Several MEPs gave interviews to this platform, run by a businessman close to the Kremlin. Here is what we know about this affair.

A network that works to “influence European political processes”

The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic announced on Wednesday that the country’s intelligence services (BIS) have unmasked a pro-Russian network whose activities “could have a significant effect on the security of the Czech Republic and the EU”. “This group was engaged in carrying out operations and activities on EU territory aimed at harming the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine”explained the head of the Czech government.

“The group’s activity (…) also extends to the European Parliament”added Petr Fiala, without further details. “The BIS operation revealed how Russia is expanding its influence on the territory of EU member countries, and how it is working to influence political processes in our countries,” explain the intelligence services on the social network.

The Polish internal security agency, the ABW, for its part reported Thursday searches carried out “as part of an investigation into espionage activities carried out on behalf of Russia against states and institutions of the European Union.” The operation, in cooperation with Czech intelligence, stems from the indictment in January of a Pole suspected of espionage. “The man, infiltrated among Polish and European parliamentarians, carried out tasks ordered and financed by collaborators of the Russian intelligence services”in particular propaganda and disinformation activities, intended to “building Russian zones of influence in Europe”, according to ABW. His identity has not been revealed.

As part of this network of influence, “Russia approached MEPs, but also paid to promote Russian propaganda. This is parliamentarians receiving money”Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said on Thursday before the Belgian House of Representatives.

The Voice of Europe media at the heart of the affair

This network of influence is suspected of having spread its propaganda via a pro-Russian online media based in Prague, called Voice of Europe. According to the Czech daily Denik Nthe site was managed by Viktor Medvedchuk, a former Ukrainian MP and businessman close to Vladimir Putin. His partner, media man Artem Martchevsky, was in charge content published on Voice of Europe, as well as relations with European political leaders, adds the newspaper.

The Czech government announced that it had placed Voice of Europe and the two men on the list of entities and people sanctioned by the country. The site is now closed, and its social media accounts are inactive, but videos in which MEPs appear are still online.

Suspicions targeting MEPs from several countries

The Czech newspaper Denik N assures that European politicians who cooperated with Voice of Europe, and published calls there to stop aid to Ukraine, were paid by Russian funds. The daily adds that this money also financed campaigns for the next European elections. The payments concern politicians from France, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and Poland, according to the media.

In one of his articles, Denik N mentions in particular the involvement of the German far-right AfD party. Several members of the group, “including the two heads of the European list, gave interviews to Voice of Europe”relates The world.

MPs from the Belgian far-right party Vlaams Belang are also suspected. One of them, Filip Dewinter, who gave an interview in September to Voice of Europe, assures the Belgian newspaper From Standard not having been paid for this interview, and shares his “astonishment” as to the fact that “Russians are believed to be behind this site”.

Questioned by France 2, the MEP of the National Rally Jean-Paul Garraud claims to have not “strictly no knowledge” elected officials having been paid by Russia. “Of course, there is no question of one of our deputies changing (…) his interventions”insists the RN MEP.

MEPs call for internal investigation

Following these revelations, centrist and environmentalist leaders in the European Parliament called on Friday for the opening of an investigation. Valérie Hayer, the president of the Renew Europe group and head of the list of the French presidential majority in the next elections, wrote to the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, to demand the opening of an internal investigation “immediate and transparent, in cooperation with national authorities”.

“Voters need to know whether MEPs or candidates are working with the support of Russia or its proxies, democracy in Europe must be defended at all costs against these threats.”

Valérie Hayer, president of the Renew Europe group

in a letter to the President of the European Parliament

The Greens also demand “a rapid and in-depth investigation on a European scale”. “Putin is trying to get away with his war in Ukraine (…) it is a direct attack on the very fabric of our democracy. Politicians who received money must be severely punished, both politically and economically. justice”insisted German elected official Terry Reintke, leader of environmentalists at European level for the June election.

“The parliament [européen] is currently examining, in coordination with its institutional partners, the conclusions of the Czech authorities, in particular concerning the media Voice of Europe“, for her part reacted a spokesperson for the institution. Access to the media institution “appearing on EU sanctions lists”notably due to disinformation about the war in Ukraine, is already banned, and MEPs “are bound by clear rules regarding independence and ethics”under penalty of “penalties”she recalled.