"The fake site claimed that he intended that the internationally recognised Paris art gallery the Pompidou Centre - currently closed for a major renovation project - be converted into a "facility for homeless migrants, where they would sleep, eat and pray". The fake claims, using a picture of Bournazel with president Emmanuel Macron, whose party he represents, were published in both English and French and were widely shared on social media."
"The fake news has been attributed to the Russian-linked group Storm-1516, which has been behind several viral bits of fake information connected to European politics. The candidate has made a formal complaint to the French cyber-security agency Secretariat general de la Defense et de la Securite nationale (SGDSN) and Viginum - the organisation that focuses on foreign interference in politics."
"Needless to say, Bournazel has never outlined a policy of repurposing it as a migrant welcome centre, and even if he had such a decision would not fall within the scope of the city mayor as the Pompidou Centre is owned by the French state and falls under the control of the Culture Ministry."
A spoofed website of centrist Paris mayoral candidate Pierre-Yves Bournazel falsely claimed he intended to convert the Pompidou Centre into a facility for homeless migrants. The fake claims were published on social media in English and French, featuring an image of Bournazel with President Emmanuel Macron. French cybercrime authorities and foreign interference organizations are investigating the incident. The Russian-linked group Storm-1516 has been attributed to the disinformation campaign. Bournazel filed formal complaints with SGDSN and Viginum. The Pompidou Centre, a state-owned facility under Culture Ministry control, is currently closed for a five-year renovation project. Such policy decisions fall outside mayoral authority.
Read at www.thelocal.fr
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