Belgium investigates suspected Russian payments to European lawmakers

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said on April 12 that prosecutors had begun investigating allegations that Russia interfered in the European Parliament by paying lawmakers to spread propaganda for Moscow, according to The Guardian .

A voting session at the European Parliament in Brussels (Belgium) on April 11

"Belgian intelligence has confirmed the existence of a pro-Russian interference network with activities in several European countries, including Belgium. Moscow's goal is clear: to help elect more pro-Russian candidates to the European Parliament and to strengthen a certain pro-Russian discourse in that body," Prime Minister De Croo said.

Mr. De Croo said the issue would be discussed at the European Union (EU) summit next week. The Belgian move reflects concerns in Europe about possible interference in the European Parliament elections in June.

Czech intelligence said in March it had uncovered a Russian network that sought to interfere in European elections. "The Czech investigation shows that Moscow approached members of the European Parliament and paid them to promote its agenda there," the Belgian prime minister said, adding that Russia's goal was to weaken European support for Ukraine.

Russia did not immediately comment on the allegations.

The Green Party group in the European Parliament and a Czech daily said the suspected MEPs came from Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and Poland.

According to AFP, EU lawmakers are strictly bound by independence and ethics rules, which can lead to fines or other sanctions if they violate them. Prime Minister De Croo said that Belgium had also activated its anti-interference law this week.

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