Russian disinformation campaign uncovered in Austria – Diepresse.com
According to the state security, the Bulgarine, who is said to have shaded civil servants and journalists in Austria for Russia, also operated disinformation campaign. Interior Minister Karner is pleased, the Vienna public prosecutor’s office is relativized.
In connection with allegations of espionage against a Bulgarian citizen, investigators from the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN) have « exposed an extensive Russian disinformation campaign in Austria ». The woman is suspected of having spied on Russia and is decisive for the implementation of a disinformation surgery controlled from there, the DSN said in a broadcast on Monday. The Bulgarin is the suspect that is also suspected, part of a Russian espionage cell around ex-wirecard boss Jan Marsalek to be. This was learned by the « press » from security circles. The cell is said to have shaded civil servants and journalists in Vienna-by the head of state protection boss Omar Haijawi-Pirchner and Anna Thalhammer, former « press » editor and now « profile » boss.
What is it about? After a hint from abroad, a house search took place at the Bulgarin in December 2024. Various data carriers were secured and evaluated. The investigators met with evidence that in addition to her alleged spy activities, the woman is said to have carried out disinformation campaigns for Russia. The purpose of this hidden campaign was to manipulate public and political opinion on the disadvantage of Ukraine and advantage of Russia, according to the DSN.
« The spread of false narrative, fake news and manipulative content undermines confidence in our institutions and endangers social cohesion, » said State Secretary Jörg Leichtfried (SPÖ) on Monday. The spread of disinformation has the potential to influence elections, to promote political instability and to endanger democratic society. « We must not allow opinion formation in politics and public to be controlled from the outside. We Austrians prefer to form our own opinion. »
Campaign with a focus on Austria
Investigations had shown that a few weeks after the beginning of the Russian attack war on Ukraine in February 2022, « a cell working for the Russian secret service. In early 2022, this planned a broad disinformation campaign in German -speaking countries, with a focus on Austria, » said the DSN.
The goal of this cell was to have a negative impact on Ukraine and President Wolodymyr Selenskij in the context of the war through targeted actions and thus – at a higher level – pro -Russian mood images, the Ministry of the Interior continued. « To achieve this, you used activities in the media landscape on the Internet as well as offline actions, such as by means of stickers or graffiti. » The optical and content design of these actions should give the appearance as if pro-Ukrainian activists are the authors and authors. « Design and linguistic motifs that come across the general public in the general public were used, especially right -wing extremist symbolism and nationalist statements and cipher ».
Suspect confessed
Using chat messages, the evaluation of the seized data carriers of the Bulgarin, which is suspected, has disclosed the detailed plans of the cell controlled by Russia. The suspect is likely to have played a significant role in this. According to the current knowledge, it served as a intelligence contact person. They may also have commissioned Russian intelligence services to distribute content in Germany and Austria.
The suspect documented actions. These documentaries were also transmitted to accomplices who were in Russia and Great Britain. Most recently, in a spy of the espionage for Russia in London, two women and one man from Bulgaria were spoken guilty. They presumably acted on behalf of ex-wirecard board member Jan Marsalek.
The suspect is confessed, especially for the cell in 2022, according to the Ministry. The woman is not in custody. The Vienna Criminal Court of Criminal Court played a « subordinate role » in alleged Russian espionagering. The woman was deployed against the vow of neither fleeing nor difficult to investigate the investigation.
Karner congratulates, public prosecutor’s office relativized
Interior Minister Gerhard reacted pleasantly Karner (ÖVP). He congratulated his State Secretary via Instagram « on this important success in the fight against disinformation, » added an emoji that shows a tense bicep. MEP Helmut Brandstätter and security spokesman Douglas Hoyos (both NEOS) referred to the measures package against espionage in the government program. Brandstätter also pointed to the largest parliamentary party in this regard. « Troll factories produce these lies, the FPÖ and the media financed by it continued to spread them cheerfully, » he emphasized.
The spokeswoman for the Vienna public prosecutor, Nina Bussek, meanwhile explained that the information now publicly distributed by the Ministry of the Interior was « nothing new ». When deciding on the question of adhesion in December, it was « all known », she emphasized. The investigation against the Bulgarin continued. (APA/DAB/RED.)
