Czech lawmakers warn of Russian operations threatening EU elections

6 months ago 32

Russian influence and disinformation campaigns in the EU pose a significant threat to the integrity of the upcoming European Parliament elections, according to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security Committee of the Czech Senate.

The committee’s conclusion was announced by its chairman, Senator Pavel Fischer. It follows the recent revelations about the activities of the media company Voice of Europe, which has been spreading Russian propaganda in the EU and has recently been placed on the EU’s sanctions list.

According to the committee, Russian interference not only jeopardises free decision-making but also constitutes an unacceptable violation of the rights of European Union citizens, the Czech News Agency reported.

Speaking about Voice of Europe, Fischer said that “this media company tried to influence public debate in the Czech Republic and other EU countries with the money of the Russian Federation, worked against the interests of the Czech Republic and systematically spread Russian propaganda.”

The Senate committee had received information about Voice of Europe directly from the Czech Security Information Service during a closed session, he explained.

In its conclusion, the committee also expressed concern that Slovakia had granted international protection to the pro-Russian politician and media mogul behind Voice of Europe, Artyom Marchevsky: “It acted against the security interests of the Czech Republic,” Fischer added.

In late March, the Czech government added Marchevsky to a sanctions list along with Voice of Europe and businessman Viktor Medvedchuk. Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) said at the time that Medvedchuk, with Marchevsky’s help, had orchestrated numerous influence networks from Russia through Voice of Europe. The government accused both men of spreading disinformation and bribing European politicians. Marchevsky has denied the allegations and opposed the sanctions.

The Senate committee also discussed the ongoing investigation into the explosion at an ammunition depot in Vrbětice in 2014.

Investigators attribute this attack that resulted in the deaths of two Czech citizens to two officers from Russia’s GRU military intelligence service, who allegedly aimed to disrupt ammunition deliveries to regions where Russia was conducting military operations.

However, Russia’s refusal to cooperate stalled the police investigation.

“We consider the terrorist attack carried out by Russian soldiers on active duty on our territory to be a gross violation of the sovereignty and security of the Czech Republic and an act of hostility against which the Czech Republic has a duty to defend itself,” Fischer said, quoting the committee’s statement on the explosion.

(Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz)