Her Homeland Security Service Poland (ABW) conducted investigations as part of a wider investigation with other European security agencies into alleged Russian espionage, it said.
Hub for Western military supplies in Ukraine, Poland claims it has become a major target of Russian spies. He blames Moscow and its ally Belarus that they are trying to destabilize it.
“Actions aimed at organizing pro-Russian media initiatives and campaigns in EU countries have been documented”, ABW said in a statement, noting the website voice-of-europe.eu which it said had published pro-Russian material.
Searches were underway in Warsaw and Tisci in western Poland on Tuesday, it said, without giving more specific details.
The operation was coordinated with other countries, particularly with partners from the Czech Republic, he said.
Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister and candidate for NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte described reports of pro-Russian efforts to influence EU politicians as worrying and said the Netherlands would “does what it takes.”
“This shows how great the risk of foreign influence is,” Rutte told reporters in The Hague. “It’s a threat to our democracy, to our free elections, to our freedom of expression, to everything.”
A Dutch MP known for pro-Russian statements was named in Czech media reports.
It is noted that the Czech government imposed sanctions against two people, including the pro-Russian Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk and the news website voiceofeurope.com, as head of a pro-Russian influence operation in Europe.
ABW’s actions were prompted by an investigation that ended in January this year in which a Polish citizen was prosecuted for allegedly spying for Russian special services.
“The man, who was placed between Polish and European parliamentarians, carried out missions commissioned and financed by Russian intelligence associates, which included propaganda, disinformation and political provocations,” he reported.
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