Brussels searches MEP's aide suspected of spreading Russian propaganda

This was reported by Reuters.

Investigators searched the assistant's home, office in the European Parliament, as well as his office in Strasbourg.

According to prosecutors, such actions were part of an investigation into possible Russian interference, in which MEPs were approached with a proposal to spread Russian propaganda through the Voice of Europe news site and paid for it.

"There are indications that the European Parliament employee concerned played a significant role in this," the prosecutor's office said in a statement.

At the same time, the European Parliament said it could not comment on the incident, but that it  "fully cooperates with law enforcement and judicial authorities to assist the course of justice and will continue to do so. It is this context that access to an office was provided".

So far, the prosecutor's office has not named the employee of the European Parliament, nor the deputy whose assistant he was.

Reuters adds that on June 6-9, voters in 27 EU countries will go to the polls to elect 720 MEPs. According to observers, voters are likely to be shrouded in lies and disinformation.

• On March 17, the European Union imposed sanctions on four Russian propaganda outlets: Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta, banning them from broadcasting and publishing in the EU.