BRUSSELS — Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday that police carried out searches at the residence of an employee of the European Parliament and at his office in the Parliament’s building in Brussels over suspected Russian interference.
Prosecutors said in statement that the suspect’s office in Strasbourg, where the EU Parliament’s headquarters are located in France, was also searched in partnership with the EU’s judicial cooperation agency, Eurojust, and French judicial authorities.
The raids took place less than two weeks before Europe-wide polls on June 6-9 to elect a new EU parliament.
The investigation was announced last month by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who said his country’s intelligence service has confirmed the existence of a network trying to undermine support for Ukraine.
“The searches are part of a case of interference, passive corruption and membership of a criminal organization and relates to indications of Russian interference, whereby Members of the European Parliament were approached and paid to promote Russian propaganda via the Voice of Europe news website,” prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said they believe the employee played “a significant role in this.”
De Croo said last month that the probe showed that members of the European Parliament were approached and offered money to promote Russian propaganda.
“According to our intelligence service, the objectives of Moscow are very clear. The objective is to help elect more pro-Russian candidates to the European Parliament and to reinforce a certain pro-Russian narrative in that institution,” he said.
EU nations have poured billions of euros into Ukraine, along with significant amounts of weaponry and ammunition. They’ve also slapped sanctions on top Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, banks, companies and the energy sector since Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Prosecutors have confirmed that a police search was conducted at the European Parliament in Brussels as part of an investigation into potential Russian interference. The search, which took place on Tuesday, was reportedly carried out by Belgian authorities at the request of the European Parliament’s legal service.
The investigation is said to be focused on allegations that Russian agents have been attempting to influence European lawmakers and undermine the integrity of the European Parliament. The search is believed to be part of a wider probe into possible Russian interference in European politics.
The European Parliament has been on high alert for potential foreign interference in recent years, particularly following reports of Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and the Brexit referendum. Lawmakers have expressed concerns about the security of their institutions and the potential impact of foreign interference on European democracy.
The search at the European Parliament comes amid growing tensions between Russia and the European Union, with relations strained over issues such as the conflict in Ukraine, human rights abuses in Russia, and allegations of cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.
Prosecutors have not provided specific details about what was seized during the search or whether any arrests were made. However, they have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that they are working closely with European authorities to uncover any potential threats to the integrity of the European Parliament.
The search at the European Parliament serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by foreign interference in democratic institutions. As European lawmakers continue to grapple with the challenges of safeguarding their institutions from external manipulation, it is clear that vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies will be crucial in addressing these threats effectively.
