Authorities conducted searches at the offices and residence of an employee of the European Parliament in Brussels as part of an investigation into possible bribery involving EU lawmakers promoting Russian propaganda to undermine support for Ukraine. The searches were carried out at the employee's apartment in Brussels and his parliamentary offices in both Brussels and Strasbourg, where the EU Parliament's headquarters are located.
The investigation, which involves Belgian and French authorities in collaboration with the EU's judicial cooperation agency Eurojust, is related to alleged interference, passive corruption, and membership in a criminal organization. The probe centers on indications of Russian interference, with Members of the European Parliament suspected of being approached and paid to promote Russian propaganda through the Voice of Europe news website.
The employee under scrutiny is believed to have played a significant role in these activities. While the suspect has not been officially named, reports suggest he is a staffer for an EU lawmaker from the far-right Dutch party Forum for Democracy.
The investigation comes amidst Europe-wide polls to elect a new EU parliament scheduled for June 6-9. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo previously announced the existence of a network aiming to undermine support for Ukraine, with the objective of electing more pro-Russian candidates to the European Parliament.
The EU has 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, especially during election periods. This move follows the suspension of Russia Today and Sputnik, among other outlets, by the EU since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022.
The investigation into potential bribery and Russian interference underscores the broader geopolitical tensions between the EU and Russia, with European nations providing support to Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine earlier this year.
