Belgium opens investigation into pro-Russian network accused of paying MEPs – POLITICO

“The influence of course concerns a democratic institution that has its headquarters in our country, which is why the federal prosecutor has decided to open an investigation into what happened there,” he said.

The Belgian investigation is a sign that the EU’s Russiagate scandal is escalating, as it marks one of the first formal steps taken after Czech authorities sanctioned the Voice of Europe news site, which it said Prague, was a pro-Russian influence operation aimed at influencing Europe. election.

The Czechs also sanctioned Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as a certain Artem Pavlovich Marchevskyi, suspected of being involved in the operation.

De Croo was one of the first EU leaders to speak out about the influence operation two weeks ago when he told the Belgian parliament that Russia had approached MEPs and “paid them”.

He gave more details on Friday, saying Moscow’s “objectives are clear.”

Russia wants to “help elect more pro-Russian candidates to the European Parliament and strengthen a certain pro-Russian discourse within this institution,” he said.