French national Guillaume Pradoura, an assistant to a Dutch far-right MEP Marcel de Graaff, is under investigation for his alleged involvement in a Russian influence operation conducted through the Prague-based Voice of Europe website.

Members of the European Parliament purportedly received payments to spread Russian propaganda via the platform.

The European Parliament has said it cannot comment on the ongoing investigation but confirmed cooperation with law enforcement and judicial authorities.

The searches are part of a case involving interference, passive corruption and membership of a criminal organization and relate to signs of Russian interference in which European Parliament employees were invited and paid to promote Russian propaganda through the Voice of Europe website, according to Euractiv.

“When and if requested to, the European Parliament fully cooperates with law enforcement and judicial authorities to assist the course of justice and will continue to do so.

“It is in this context that access to an office was provided,” an EP spokesperson said.

De Graaff said the searches seem to have been carried out to target the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party over concerns it will do well in the EU election.

Pradoura was previously an assistant for the AfD's lead candidate Maximilian Krah who stepped down from EP elections over controversial SS comments.

The European Union has sanctioned the Czech-registered Voice of Europe and two associated businessmen. The website’s social media accounts actively spread disinformation on Ukraine and promoted “pro-Kremlin false narratives.”

Voters across the EU will go to polls on June 6-9 to elect a new European Parliament in a campaign likely affected by “lies and disinformation.”