Paris Prosecutors Investigate Russian Interference in French Presidential Race
World
The Paris Prosecutor's Office, through its unit for the protection of fundamental freedoms, has launched an investigation into suspected Russian disinformation campaigns targeting potential candidates in the upcoming French presidential election. Authorities are reviewing cyber and informational attacks directed at former Prime Ministers Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, as well as Member of the European Parliament Raphaël Glucksmann.
Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal filed a formal complaint regarding foreign interference originating from Russian networks. Manipulated videos featuring the branding of French outlets Le Figaro and Libération were circulated online, falsely claiming that Attal had been hospitalized with Parkinson's disease. Speaking on RTL, Attal warned that failure to counter such operations could distort the upcoming vote.
Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe faced similar tactics. Cloned websites and social media accounts spread false reports asserting that he suffered from dementia, which his aides promptly denied.
Researchers from the AntiBot4Navalny monitoring group identified the covert influence operation under the moniker "Matryoshka". Meanwhile, MEP Raphaël Glucksmann referred his case to the judiciary following a briefing by France's General Secretariat for Defence and National Security (SGDSN). According to security assessments, the campaign targeting Glucksmann is linked to intelligence-adjacent disinformation groups.
The Paris Prosecutor's Office is also maintaining its ongoing investigation into deepfake incidents during the 2026 municipal elections, which targeted La France Insoumise candidates in Marseille, Toulouse, and Roubaix.
Former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe faced similar tactics. Cloned websites and social media accounts spread false reports asserting that he suffered from dementia, which his aides promptly denied.
Researchers from the AntiBot4Navalny monitoring group identified the covert influence operation under the moniker "Matryoshka". Meanwhile, MEP Raphaël Glucksmann referred his case to the judiciary following a briefing by France's General Secretariat for Defence and National Security (SGDSN). According to security assessments, the campaign targeting Glucksmann is linked to intelligence-adjacent disinformation groups.
The Paris Prosecutor's Office is also maintaining its ongoing investigation into deepfake incidents during the 2026 municipal elections, which targeted La France Insoumise candidates in Marseille, Toulouse, and Roubaix.
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