BIS reported that it successfully detected and mapped the actions of a Russia-funded influence network operating in the Czech Republic. “The BIS operation revealed how Russia exerts influence on the territory of the European Union and tries to influence political processes in our countries,” wrote the service on its official X network profile.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated after a government meeting attended by BIS chief Michal Koudelka that, upon receiving information from the agencies, the government decided to include two individuals and one company on the Czech sanctions list. Fiala did not provide further details on the matter.

Czech sanctions were imposed on Viktor Medvedchuk and Artem Marchevsky - Ukrainian entrepreneurs and politicians closely associated with the Kremlin. Sanctions also targeted the company Voice of Europe, registered in the Czech Republic under a Polish citizen, utilized by Medvedchuk.

Further details were not disclosed. The listing was justified by “promoting the interests of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation and political and propaganda activities aimed against the territorial integrity, independence, stability, and security of Ukraine.”

Editors of the Denik N portal, who reached sources familiar with the matter, wrote that money was transferred to anti-establishment politicians of the German AfD party in Prague.

Payments were also reportedly made to politicians from other European countries. Without providing further details, sources stated that apart from Germany, the countries included France, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Hungary.

The sanctioned company’s assets were frozen, and it is prohibited from transferring any assets abroad. However, its activities in the Czech Republic have not been formally banned.