Paris prosecutors probe alleged foreign smear campaigns in local elections

AI Summary

Paris prosecutors have launched an investigation into suspected foreign smear campaigns targeting three hard-left mayoral candidates in recent local elections. The smear efforts may have been orchestrated by an Israeli firm known as BlackCore, raising concerns about foreign interference.

By Gabriel Stargardter PARIS, May 27 (Reuters) - Paris prosecutors have opened a probe to determine whether three hard-left mayoral candidates were targeted by a foreign state seeking to meddle in French elections, they said on Wednesday, in a move that could help shed light on the mysterious campaign. Reuters revealed this month that French officials suspect the alleged smearing of three mayoral candidates from the pro-Palestinian party France Unbowed (LFI) ahead of March's municipal elections was carried out by an obscure Israeli firm called BlackCore.