In the wake of the "Russian interference" scandal in the European Parliament, Belgian police raided several offices and premises on Wednesday. The Belgian prosecutor announced that law enforcement authorities conducted a raid at the office of a European Parliament employee in Brussels, suspecting ties to Russia. The search operations also included a private residence in Brussels and the European Parliament offices in Strasbourg. Belgian law enforcement stated in a statement that "there is evidence suggesting that the employee in question played an important role" in the case known as "Russia Gate."
This case erupted months ago following information and suspicions about Russian entities contacting members of the European Parliament and paying them to promote Russian propaganda through the "Voices of Europe" platform. In April, the Belgian prosecutor's office opened an investigation into suspicions of corruption related to potential Russian "interference" in the European Parliament after it was revealed that some council members allegedly received funds to disseminate pro-Kremlin propaganda.
This investigation came after the Czech Republic announced in March 2024 that its spies discovered a network using European lawmakers to spread pro-Moscow propaganda through the Prague-based news site "Voice of Europe." It follows an investigation launched by the European Parliament in January concerning Latvian MEP Tatjana Zdanoka's alleged involvement in espionage for Russia over several years.
Since tensions escalated between Russia and Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago, disputes between the two sides have intensified, leading to covert conflicts in various ways.
