French Authorities Probe Foreign Interference Targeting France Unbowed Candidates
Investigation into Alleged Foreign Interference in French Municipal Elections
Background of the Interference Allegations
PARIS, May 20 (Reuters) - French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Wednesday prosecutors are probing an alleged foreign interference campaign ahead of the March municipal elections that targeted a hard-left party, and pledged to release a full report into the operation.
Details of the Suspected Campaign
Involvement of BlackCore
Reuters last week revealed that French authorities suspect the campaign, which targeted at least three mayoral candidates from the France Unbowed (LFI) party, was carried out at least in part by an obscure Israeli firm called BlackCore. The campaign included deceptive websites and social media accounts alleging criminal behaviour, as well as disparaging digital ads.
Official Response and Ongoing Probe
Questioned by one of the victims, LFI lawmaker Francois Piquemal, Nunez said a probe was under way into the campaign, which he described as "extremely grave."
Commitment to Transparency
Nunez also pledged to release in full a report from electoral safety authorities into the alleged operation, the day after satirical and investigative outlet Le Canard Enchaine reported that efforts were under way to bury the report.
Unanswered Questions and Unverified Details
Reuters could not independently establish who was behind BlackCore, verify where it was based, or find any reference to the company in Israeli corporate records.
BlackCore did not respond to repeated messages sent via its website and LinkedIn page - both of which were subsequently taken offline.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Inti Landauro and Gabriel StargardterEditing by Rod Nickel)
