These attacks are not just against my election campaign but against democracy and the rule of law itself. Belgium must remain an example of democratic values, and such politically motivated violence should not be tolerated.
Marta Barandiy
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Brussels, May 14, 2024 – The head office of Marta Barandiy, Belgian of Ukrainian descent, lead candidate for the European Parliament, and human rights activist, was subjected to a violent attack last night. The assailants broke down the doors and stole several valuable items. The police are actively investigating the incident and are in search of the individuals responsible for this attack.
In the past few weeks, there has been a series of unprecedented attacks targeting Marta’s team members and volunteers. These attacks include significant damage to personal property, such as cars with broken windows and other forms of vandalism. There is no doubt among Marta’s team that these attacks are connected and politically motivated, aiming to put undue pressure on Marta as an activist and candidate for the European Parliament.
Marta Barandiy has been a strong advocate for enhancing the defense capabilities of the EU and Belgium. As an activist, she has actively opposed Russian influence in Europe, fought against attempts to circumvent European sanctions, and resisted representatives of the Russian regime. Her election campaign is centered on improving defense and security measures to ensure the safety of Europe and Belgium while reducing Russian influence.
The recent attacks on her campaign office and team members underscore the urgent need for enhanced security and a stronger defense strategy. We are confident that pro-Russian forces are directly involved in these acts of violence and intimidation, and we hope that law enforcement agencies will confirm this soon. We also urge the Belgian authorities to recognize the need for additional protection for public figures and increased oversight of Russian activities, especially during the election campaign.
In addition to the physical attacks, there have been signs of political gaslighting from various media outlets. State-owned and other media channels have intentionally avoided covering the VOOR U party and Marta Barandiy’s candidacy. While old political parties receive ample media coverage and platforms to voice their agendas, there is a noticeable effort to silence Marta and her campaign. This media blackout, followed by the attacks, poses a severe threat to the democratic values that Belgium, as the heart of the European Union, stands for.
Marta Barandiy commented, “These attacks are not just against my election campaign but against democracy and the rule of law itself. Belgium must remain an example of democratic values, and such politically motivated violence should not be tolerated.”
Marta’s team urges all democratic forces to stand in solidarity against these attacks and calls for an immediate and thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. Protecting the integrity of the election process from external influence and ensuring a fair platform for all candidates is crucial for the future of democracy in Belgium and Europe.
For further information and updates, please contact:
• Marta VOOR Europa
• Email: join@martavooreuropa.eu
