Information
Petr Bystron, a politician from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), is embroiled in controversy over allegations of receiving payments from the “Voice of Europe” (VoE), a Russian online disinformation network. Despite the closure of VoE and accusations linking him to financial transactions intended to disseminate pro-Kremlin narratives, Bystron denies any wrongdoing. He asserts that he has never received payments or cryptocurrencies from VoE or any Russian sources, framing the accusations as part of a defamation campaign targeting politicians from six European parties. This defense comes amid scrutiny from AfD co-chairs Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, who have called for Bystron to clear the allegations to maintain the integrity of the party and its operations.
The allegations against Bystron gain complexity with reports of audio recordings that supposedly incriminate him, currently held by Czech authorities. The Czech Security Information Service (BIS), however, has declined to release these recordings, citing them as intelligence material. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic has acted against VoE, accusing it of paying European politicians, including those from Germany, France, and four other EU member states, to promote Kremlin-aligned interests. These actions are part of a broader concern over rising populist and anti-migration sentiments in Europe, with parties like AfD aiming to increase their influence in the upcoming EU parliamentary elections. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges of disinformation, foreign influence, and the contentious political landscape in Europe.
Source: Reuters, dpa
Assessment
While it is possible that there is some incriminating information relating to Bystron, it is unlikely that Russian intelligence would be sloppy enough to create a clear link between them and a German politician. If the Czech Republic does have recordings, then they should make them public along with the sourcing (if possible).
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