Belgian prosecutors are investigating possible Russian interference in the upcoming European Parliament elections following conclusions provided by intelligence services, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said on Friday (12).
He said investigators found that Russian groups were meddling in European elections to promote pro-Russian candidates and thus weaken European support for Ukraine against the more than two-year-old Russian invasion.
“The aim is to help elect more pro-Russian candidates to the European Parliament and reinforce a certain pro-Russian narrative in that institution,” De Croo told reporters.
“Weakened European support for Ukraine serves Russia on the battlefield,” he said.
De Croo said the Belgian investigation was launched after Czech authorities found pro-Russian agents active in Brussels seeking to influence and even pay European lawmakers to promote a pro-Russian agenda.
The cash payments would not have been made in Belgium, although the interference occurred there, he said.
Western nations have repeatedly accused Russian agents of using social media and the internet to spread false or misleading information to harm them, promote Russia or try to influence public opinion in election campaigns.
Russian authorities have repeatedly denied the allegations.
Ahead of June's European elections, parties that have criticized EU support for Ukraine, such as France's Rassemblement National, Austria's Freedom Party and Germany's AfD, are expected to win more votes than they did five years ago.
De Croo said he had called for an urgent meeting of the European Union Agency for Criminal Cooperation and Justice (Eurojust) to discuss this matter, and suggested that OLAF, the EU's anti-fraud office, should prosecute the case.
“We have a responsibility and our responsibility is to advocate that the right of all citizens to a free and safe vote can be maintained,” he said.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
