The Federal Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Flemish liberal) has said that the Federal Prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into suspected Russian interference at the European Parliament. Speaking at a press conference on Friday morning, Mr De Croo said that the investigation must be carried out both at a national (Belgian) level and at a European level.
Federal Prosecutor’s Office starts investigation into Russian interference at the European Parliament
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The investigation here follows an investigation by the judicial authorities in the Czech Republic that uncovered a Russian spy network that had used disinformation to approach MEPs to persuade them to spread Russian propaganda. Some of the MEPs approached by the Russians were also allegedly paid for their services.
Mr De Croo told the press conference that "Belgian intellence services have confirmed the existence of the influencing practices. According to our security services, Moscow’s aims are clear: to get more pro-Russian candidates elected to the European Parliament and to strengthen the presence of exponents pro-Russian views. We cannot except the Russian threat in our midst We need to act both on a national level and on a European level. At a national level our judicial authorities have confirmed that the influencing could lead to prosecutions”.
Action needed at a European level too
Mr De Croo went on to say that Belgium has asked for a meeting of the European Justice Agency Eurojust to discuss the threat posed by Russian propaganda and disinformation. Eurojust is the agency that coordinates cooperation between the judicial authorities in the 27 EU member states. The Federal PM points to new legislation that has been passed specifically to deal with the issue of malicious influencing.
Mr De Croo concluded by saying that if it transpires that the EU is unable to do anything, the mandates of Eurojust, the European patenting agency EPO and the European anti-fraud agency OLAF must be extended. “We must remain vigilant”.