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The Czech Republic has frozen the assets of two men and a news website for conducting influence operations in Europe supporting “the foreign policy interests of the Russian Federation,” the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. did.
The ministry identified the men as Viktor Medvedchuk, a prominent pro-Russian Ukrainian politician and leader of the effort, and a Ukrainian-Israeli who allegedly ran a Czech-registered website called Voice of Europe. The person was identified as Artem Malchevsky. Medvedchuk, long known as an ally of Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, was arrested in Ukraine and extradited to Russia in a prisoner swap in 2022.
“We have cracked down on the Russian influence operation directed directly from Russia by Viktor Medvedchuk,” Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavski said in a statement. “The aim was to spread pro-Russian rhetoric that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty while infiltrating the European Parliament.”
Czech authorities declined to immediately comment on how large the effort was or how well-funded it was, but officials promised more revelations.
“Actions will continue in other countries,” Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said. said on social mediaadded that the recent actions were “the result of international cooperation”
Czech news media, citing unnamed sources, reported that politicians from Germany, France, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Hungary were paid by Voice of Europe to promote Russia’s interests in the European Parliament. .
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo gave substance to these reports, telling the Belgian parliament on Thursday that “close cooperation” between Belgian and Czech intelligence services has led to “Russia getting closer” to European lawmakers. It said it was found to be “funded.” Congress “promotes Russian propaganda.”
According to leading German news outlet Der Spiegel, one of the politicians who received the financial compensation was German lawmaker Petr Bistron of the far-right Alternative for Germany party.
The revelations come as the European Union braces for further foreign interference, with European elections less than three months away. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine has staunchly supported Kiev, sending billions of dollars worth of aid to help sustain the country and fend off Russian attacks, and has seen Congress as an easy target for the Kremlin. analysts point out.
“This is not all that surprising and confirms what we suspected: The Kremlin is using dubious outlets masquerading as media outlets to sway public opinion within the EU and interfere in elections. , are using money to buy covert influence,” Vella said. Mr. Jourois, the bloc’s values committee member. Yurova, a Czech citizen, is calling for Czech countries to take a more proactive stance against Russian interference. “We cannot afford to be one step behind President Putin and his propaganda army on the chessboard.”
Neither Medvedchuk nor Malczewski could be reached for comment. The Voice of Europe website appears to be down and did not respond to messages sent via X.
The European Parliament is one of the three main institutions of the European Union, but is widely considered to be the least powerful. Its 705 members, who are nationally elected and serve five-year terms, do not introduce legislation, but their approval is usually required for legislation to pass. They can also criticize the European Commission, the European Union’s executive arm, which often plays a high-profile role in scrutinizing the bloc’s policies.
Despite limited institutional powers, European legislators are often approached by national, industry, and interest group lobbyists seeking to influence public opinion and gain cooperation in important policy debates. many.
Since the sanctions against the Czech Republic were announced, the European Voice website has been shut down.among them Last post on social media site X, on March 27, the outlet described itself as a source of “uncensored network news from Europe and the world.” But an investigation into the It turns out that there is something.
Voice of Europe’s YouTube page features interviews with prominent European politicians from far-right parties in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands. Examples of headlines include “The primary threat to the West is China, not Russia.” “Germany is under constant pressure to escalate the war in Ukraine.” “Peace negotiations should also respect Russia’s interests.” and “Nation states should be monocultural.”
In a related incident, Polish security officials said in a statement Thursday that they raided multiple locations as part of an investigation into “espionage against the Russian Federation,” and recovered approximately $88,000 in cash, as well as hard drives and cell phones. announced that it had been confiscated. States and institutions of the European Union. ”
Polish authorities said the raid was part of an earlier investigation into a Polish national accused of being a Russian spy working in the European Parliament.
The man, identified by Polish authorities as Janusz Niezwiecki, was accused earlier this year of “carrying out missions commissioned and funded by Russian intelligence partners.” The Internal Security Service said it included “propaganda, disinformation, and political provocation” aimed at “creating Russia’s sphere of influence in Europe.”
From 2016 until his arrest in 2021, Niedzwicki was active in Poland, other EU countries, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Moldova, intelligence agencies said in a statement after an initial investigation.
Internal records reviewed by The New York Times show that Niedzwiecki received a badge granting him access to the European Parliament through Maximilian Kula, a far-right German member of the European Parliament who is also featured on Voice of Europe’s YouTube page. was secured. Under parliamentary rules, lawmakers can request up to four such badges for people such as family members, drivers, professionals, advisers and tutors.
Mr. Niedzwicki used his privileges to good effect, and internal parliamentary records show he visited parliament at least 50 times wearing Mr. Kula’s badge before his arrest in May 2021.
Asked about Kula’s relationship with Niedziwiecki, Kula’s office said: “In 2019, there was no indication that the aforementioned individuals might be involved in such activities. It was issued to Mr. Niedzwiecki on the recommendation of friends within the party.
Kula has a history of making pro-Russian statements and voting against parliamentary resolutions condemning Russia. He was one of the lawmakers who refused to declare Russia a “state sponsor of terrorism” over the November 2022 war in Ukraine.
In the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Mr. wrote on social media, “The sleepwalkers of Berlin and Brussels are leading us into a foreign war without rhyme, reason or purpose!”
During a parliamentary debate on the Russia-Ukraine border situation in December 2021, Kula said, “Whoever brings Ukraine into NATO, whether they like it or not, will provoke a Russian attack.” I don’t like that either.” And now ask yourself whether you are ready to accept a war for Ukraine’s membership in NATO. ”
Last year, Kula sparked outrage in Berlin over German media reports that he had received funds from China through one of his parliamentary aides. The 47-year-old politician has sent messages praising the founding of the People’s Republic of China and has also publicly criticized reports about the internment and exploitation of Uyghurs, which he called “he.”Anti-China propaganda.
In Germany, Kula is seen as a close ally of one of the most radical AfD leaders, Björn Höcke, who is under surveillance by domestic intelligence services and is facing charges of using Nazi slogans. He is facing trial in May.
A spokeswoman for European Parliament President Roberta Mezzola said she was “aware of the allegations that have been made” and was “investigating the specific allegations”.
The extent of the apparent Russian influence operation remains unclear, but the revelations represent a “serious blow to Russia’s propaganda machine,” German Interior Minister Nancy Feser told Der Spiegel. It said the network “exercises undue influence in the European Parliament on Russia’s behalf” and “takes advantage of politicians in several European countries and provides them with significant financial resources.”
He added that the revelations show the “enormous range of lies and disinformation” used by the Kremlin to “undermine confidence in democracy, incite anger and manipulate public opinion.” .
Erica Solomon contributed reporting from Berlin.
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