Police have searched the office of a European Parliament employee in Brussels over suspected Russian interference, Belgium's federal prosecutor's office says.
Officers also raided the employee's residence and the EU Parliament's French headquarters.
It comes after an investigation was launched last month by the Belgian prime minister, who said his intelligence service uncovered a network trying to undermine support for Ukraine.
"The searches are part of a case of interference, passive corruption and membership of a criminal organisation and relates to indications of Russian interference, whereby members of the European Parliament were approached and paid to promote Russian propaganda via the Voice of Europe news website," prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said they believe the employee played "a significant role in this".
This comes less than two weeks before polls open on 6-9 June to elect a new EU parliament.
"According to our intelligence service, the objectives of Moscow are very clear," said Belgian leader Alexander De Croo.
"The objective is to help elect more pro-Russian candidates to the European Parliament and to reinforce a certain pro-Russian narrative in that institution."
https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-russia-news-putin-nuclear-live-updates-kyiv-12541713
....and for the accompanying music ......
