Russia paid MEPs to spread propaganda — Belgian PM
Moscow paid some members of the European
Parliament (MEPs) to push pro-Russian propaganda, Belgian PM Alexander De
Croo said on March 28, as reported by Politico.
Speaking in Belgium’s national parliament, De Croo said the information was obtained by Belgian and Czech security services while investigating and dismantling a Russian propaganda network in the EU.
“It has come to light, for example, that Russia approached MEPs and paid them to advance Russian propaganda,” said the PM.
However, he did not disclose the names of the MEPs who were supposedly approached by Moscow.
De Croo's spokesperson later clarified that the Prime Minister's comments referred to the Czech government's decision to impose sanctions on the “news” website Voice of Europe, which they consider "part of a pro-Russian influence operation."
On March 27, Czech Foreign Ministry announced sanctions against Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, a known associate of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. They claimed Medvedchuk ran a "Russian influence operation" via Voice of Europe.
Deputy spokesperson for the European Parliament Delphine Colard noted that the parliament is currently "examining the findings" of the Czech authorities regarding the media outlet.
In January, independent Russian media outlet The Insider published an investigation into Latvian MEP Tatjana Zdanoka, alleging she worked for Russia’s FSB.
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