Police target European Parliament staffer in Russian interference probe

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday that police have conducted a search of the residence of an employee of the European Parliament and his office in the parliament’s building in connection with a probe into suspected Russian interference.

The simultaneous searches were conducted by Belgian and French police at the European Parliament’s offices in Brussels and Strasbourg as part of an investigation into allegations of European Union lawmakers being bribed to promote Russian propaganda with the intention of undermining support for Ukraine.

Prosecutors have said they believe the employee's role was "significantly" contributive.

In a statement released on X, Dutch EU lawmaker Marcel de Graaff confirmed that the staffer in question was his parliamentary assistant, Guillaume Pradoura. However, he distanced himself and his assistant from the allegations.

"Today, I learned through the media that the home and office of my employee, Mr. Pradoura, have been searched," he said. "I spoke to my employee, and he appeared not to be aware of this."

Noting that authorities have not contacted him or his assistant, he said: "I have no involvement whatsoever in any so-called Russian disinformation operation. I have my own political beliefs, and I proclaim them. That is my job as a Member of the European Parliament."

The search came a few days before European elections as European citizens are set to vote to shape the new composition of the EU Parliament between June 6 and 9.