A pro-Russian group that spreads pseudoscience and conspiracy theories has been allowed to hold an event in the European Parliament building in Brussels, writes Politico.
When complaints were made about the controversial organization’s presence on the premises of the EP, it stated that there was not enough basis to conduct an investigation. The pro-Russian organization AllatRa Global Research Center held an event in Brussels in February to discuss the dangers of nanoplastics. The event was also attended by far-right Czech MEP Ondřej Knotek.
AllatRa describes itself as an international think tank that focuses on planetary risks, systemic environmental challenges and human rights and freedom. However, others see the organization in a different light. Global Research Center is associated with the religious movement AllatRa, founded in Ukraine and currently operating in the United States. Ukrainian security services have accused the organization of justifying Russia’s armed aggression, and have said that it has spread Kremlin propaganda under the guise of “missionary work.”
The founding text of AllatRa states that aliens have long had a significant influence on humanity. The media outlet Novaya Gazeta Europa reported that the group believes that all people of Slavic origin will be united in the future, mainly thanks to a magical savior (whose description is strangely reminiscent of Vladimir Putin). VSquare wrote that
the group and its branch Creative Society deny that climate change is caused by human actions
and believe that the end of the world will come in 2036.
The founder of the religious organization, Ukrainian chiropractor Igor Danilov, is under investigation for high-level treason, participation in a criminal organization and endangering state security. Danilov did not respond to a request for comment, while AllatRa said it categorically rejected suggestions that it was a pro-Russian organization or linked to Russia’s disinformation environment, adding that it condemned Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine.
A spokesman for the organization said that AllatRa was first declared undesirable in Russia and then added to the list of extremist organizations. He also pointed to a Kyiv court decision that upheld the restriction on including the organization on the banned list. When asked about the organization’s attitude towards aliens, the representative did not give a direct answer, but stressed that statements about pseudoscience and conspiracy theories do not reflect the official position or activities of AllatRa.
It was the controversial nature of AllatRa that prompted two Czech MEPs, Danuše Nerudová and Jan Farský, and a Slovak MEP, Martin Hojsík, to protest the organization’s presence in the EP. The MEPs said that
AllatRa had been identified as an organization associated with pro-Russian messages and the Russian disinformation environment.
They said that allowing the organization to hold events on EP premises posed a reputational risk and could give institutional legitimacy to organizations associated with foreign influence or disinformation. Hojsík said that AllatRa was a sect that infiltrated European political and security structures and sought to harm those who tried to find out what exactly the organization was doing.
Meanwhile, Knotek stressed that the event had no political message and pointed out that the organisation is included in the European Union’s Transparency Register, which allows lobbyists access to EU institutions. He also said that there will always be a few crazy persons in a large organisation, but that does not mean that all its members are crazy.
MEPs and political groups are allowed to hold joint events with private companies and organisations, as well as individuals, on EP premises.
Other visitors to the event in February included American pastor Mark Burns, who is the chairman of the Spiritual Diplomats initiative and spiritual advisor to US President Donald Trump.
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