France: head of intelligence warns of Russia’s penetration into political networks

The head of the French counterintelligence warned of the forms of Russian penetration into the political networks of France.

During the hearings of the parliamentary commission for the investigation of the intervention of foreign powers under the chairmanship of the deputy of the National Assembly (RN), Jean-Filippa Tangi, the Director General of the French internal security (DGSI), Nikolai Lerner was questioned behind closed doors. It happened on February 2. The content of the hearings was published this Thursday, April 27th.

Speaking of foreign political, economic and financial intervention, Nicolas Lerner especially mentioned attempts by “some intelligence agents” from Russia “to aim at the entire political spectrum” of France, which the special services discovered in 2018.

“We found that parliamentarians belonging to a wide political spectrum are becoming objects of” special approaches “. Some politicians could enter into relations that French legislation does not prohibit,” Lerner said.

Nicolas Lerner specified that the special services had to conduct “6500” information operations in the National Assembly and the Senate in the last months. These actions were carried out after the “discovery of contacts”, in particular French parliamentarians “with Russian scouts under the diplomatic cover.”

Nicolas Lerner noted that the Russian special services are the most numerous and active in France among foreign services, “several dozen officers” function, as a rule, under the guise of diplomatic missions located in France. Nevertheless, he indicated that their number has greatly reduced since the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis in 2014.

According to Lernner, the Association of the Franco-Russian Dialogue is the object of two judicial investigations conducted by the Paris prosecutor’s office, in particular, on suspicion of corruption and abuse of influence. It was on her line that a dozen French deputies visited the territory of Ukraine occupied in 2014.

In turn, the co -chair of the Association, the deputy of the European Parliament from the National Rally (RN) Thierry Mariani, denied the accusations, that he drew benefits from the trips financed by Russia, in exchange for compensation for the position favorable for Moscow foreign policy.

“We are in constant contact with parliamentarians, at their request or on our initiative, we are conducting information and educational events, if it is necessary that they know who they are dealing with. They are completely free to continue their relations if it does not fall under the scope law, ”said the chief of the French counterintelligence during his speech before the parliamentary commission on investigation on February 6.