Russian and Chinese services are increasingly approaching far-right figures in Belgium, Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt said, following revelations concerning former Vlaams Belang senator Frank Creyelman.
“There appears to be common ground here, as all are admirers of authoritarian regimes,” Van Tigchelt noted.
Creyelman was expelled from Vlaams Belang on Friday after an investigation published by the Financial Times, Der Spiegel and Le Monde exposed how the Chinese spy agency allegedly recruited him to influence discussions in Europe on issues involving China.
Intelligence services have long warned of espionage and meddling by both Moscow and Beijing. “It is not the first time we have seen Russians or Chinese approaching individuals from far-right parties to work for them,” the Justice Minister stressed.
Regarding the Creyelman case itself, the minister did not make any comment. He also did not specify whether State Security was aware of any suspicions regarding the former Vlaams Belang senator.
In a December 2022 report, the Committee R, responsible for overseeing intelligence services, highlighted Russia’s interest in extremist parties which, Moscow believes, could potentially impose a political course more favourable to Russia in the long run.
