Belgium investigating Russian influence network suspected of paying EU lawmakers
The Belgian federal prosecutor has opened an investigation into EU lawmakers accused of receiving payments for spreading pro-Russian propaganda.
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00:00 Belgium is investigating a pro-Russian influence network suspected of operating at the heart of the European institutions in Brussels.
00:08 Prime Minister Alexander de Kroeg said Moscow had approached and paid members of the European Parliament to spread the Kremlin's propaganda in Europe.
00:17 He confirmed that his judicial authorities had opened a formal investigation.
00:22 On a national level, our judicial authorities have now confirmed that this interference is subject to a prosecution.
00:32 The cash payment did not take place in Belgium, but the interference does.
00:39 As Belgium is one of the seats of EU institutions, we have a responsibility, and our responsibility is to uphold that every citizen's right to a free and safe vote can be maintained.
00:53 A Czech-led investigation recently dismantled a Russian propaganda operation channeled through Dutch-listed company Voice of Europe, which presented itself as a news media.
01:04 It has interviewed at least 16 members of the European Parliament.
01:09 The Czech probe led to further arrests in Poland, and Czech intelligence officials say politicians from as many as six EU countries could face allegations.
01:19 It comes just two months before EU voters head to the polls in June, and amid mounting fears Kremlin proxies could be using information manipulation to skew the democratic vote.
01:32 In Europe, we deserve elections where people make their choices, and where of course we will respect the result.
01:43 But it's the Europeans who will make their choices, not other countries who would be trying to influence us.
01:52 While Belgium's investigation is conducted, de Kruy called on the EU's criminal justice agency Eurojust to discuss the issue.
02:01 He will also raise the issue when all 27 EU leaders convene in Brussels next week.
02:08 - That's a lot.
02:08 (whooshing)