Two investigations are underway in Paris regarding the Franco-Russian Dialogue association, justice is trying to determine whether two of its leaders, a deputy and a former senator, received benefits in exchange for positions favorable to Moscow, reports AFP.

Paris FrancePhoto: Thomas Hubert / Sipa Press / Profimedia Images

The investigations, which began in 2021, relate to suspicions of corruption and abuse of influence, on the one hand, and breach of trust and money laundering, on the other, the Paris prosecutor’s office announced on Monday.

According to a source close to the investigation, at the center of the investigation are Thierry Mariani, a member of the National Union (RN – far-right), co-president of the association since 2012, and Yves Pozzo di Borgo, a former centrist senator, member of the association and president of a consulting company.

According to daily Le Monde, Mariani and Pozzo di Borgo benefited from Russian-funded trips, and a source close to the case said the judiciary is trying to find out to what extent the gifts could have been used as compensation for positions. adopted in favor of Russia.

The Franco-Russian Dialogue Association was created in 2004 under the patronage of French President Jacques Chirac and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It presents itself as “a privileged instrument of communication between the political, economic and cultural circles of the two countries” and aims to “contribute to the deepening of strategic relations and the privileged partnership between France and Russia.”

According to the prosecutor’s office, two preliminary investigations were opened after a report by Tracfin, the financial information unit of the Ministry of Economy.

Contacted by AFP, Thierry Mariani said he was “surprised” when he said he “found out about the existence of these investigations through the media”.

Mariani said the association’s accounts are “transparent and controlled.” “I have never received any payments” from the Franco-Russian Dialogue and “I do not own any shares in a Russian company,” he continued.

Mariani added that the association “returned the keys to the premises” it occupied due to lack of contributions.

Yves Pozzo di Borgo did not want to respond to AFP’s contact.