The leader of Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), Herbert Kickl, has distanced himself from Moscow in the course of investigations into suspected Russian espionage in Austria.
He has “no personal ties with Russia at all,” Kickl said Thursday in parliament in Vienna, where he was questioned in an investigative committee.
Kickl, who served as Interior Minister from 2017 to 2019, appeared as a witness in a subcommittee to shed light on alleged abuse of power by social democratic and right-wing politicians.
The alleged espionage affair involves a former Austrian intelligence officer accused of being a double agent.
On Thursday, several questions focused on the former intelligence officer and his alleged espionage for Russia. Kickl says he did not know the official and, as a minister, was not informed that the official had already faced accusations of espionage at the time.
The alleged double agent is said to have passed on information to the former manager of the bankrupt German payment service provider Wirecard. Jan Marsalek, who is also suspected of working for Russia. According to Kickl, he had no direct contact with Marsalek, who is now on the run.
However, the FPÖ leader confirmed that Marsalek had met with other Interior Ministry officials to discuss ideas for stopping refugees in North Africa.
Kickl’s far-right party has been criticized for its position on Russia. The FPÖ is against sanctions against Moscow. In February, Kickl demanded that “relations with Russia must be normalized.”
In 2016, the party signed a friendship agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s party, United Russia. According to the FPÖ, the pact was never implemented.
In the run-up to Austria’s parliamentary elections in the autumn, the FPÖ is in first place with around 27%.
