Paris prosecutor probes alleged Russian interference targeting French presidential candidates

Published Aug 18, 10:33 AM UTC

The Paris prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into suspected Russian interference targeting French presidential candidates Edouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, as well as likely candidate Raphaël Glucksmann. In early August, pro-Russian networks allegedly conducted destabilization operations, including slandering Philippe's health and falsely claiming Attal may have Parkinson's disease. Glucksmann was targeted with false information about his partner, journalist Léa Salamé. The AC2 fundamental freedoms protection section took up the cases on its own initiative before receiving formal complaints. Attal filed a complaint on August 7 for foreign interference originating from Russian networks, while Glucksmann filed his complaint on August 12, warning against Russian manipulation of France's 2027 presidential election.

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