European Parliament fines Latvian MEP found guilty of spying for Russia

European Parliament fines Latvian MEP found guilty of spying for Russia

Kyiv  •  UNN

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The European Parliament has imposed sanctions, including a fine and a ban on certain functions, against Latvian MEP Tatjana Ždanoka for violating the code of conduct after she was found to have spied for Russia.

The European Parliament has imposed sanctions on Latvian MEP Tatjana Ždanoka, who has been repeatedly accused by the media of spying for Russia this year. This was reported by UNN with reference to Politico. 

On Wednesday, April 10, European Parliament President Roberta Mecola announced a series of sanctions against Zhdanok, recognizing her as having violated the code of conduct for MEPs.

According to Metzola, Ždanoka, who has been an MEP since 2004 and was a member of the Greens/EFA group until 2022, violated the part of the code that deals with declaring private interests and receiving gifts by failing to provide more detailed information.

The sanctions will include a five-day fine of 1,750 euros, as well as a ban on performing certain functions representing the European Parliament until the end of her term in July. After that, she is expected to no longer be able to serve as an MEP. Ždanok did not file an appeal, Metzola added.

Recall 

In January, the Russian newspaper The Insider reported that Zhdanok had been working for the Russian federal security service for many years. Ždanok denied the allegations, telling members of the European Parliamentthat she was merely an "agent of peace.

At the end of January , the European Parliament launched an investigation into allegations of ties between Latvian MP Tatjana Ždanoka and Russia.

In February, the European Parliament adopted a resolutionexpressing its outrage and concern over Russia's continued efforts to undermine European democracy through various forms of interference and disinformation.