Spain govt raises Russia meddling in Catalonia with EU

BRUSSELS: Spain on Monday raised the issue of “disinformation and manipulation” emanating from Russia during the Catalan independence crisis, at a meeting of EU foreign and defence ministers.

Madrid had said on Friday it was concerned by Russian social media activity on Catalonia, after misleading reports and images shared widely online helped fuel the standoff triggered by the banned October 1 independence referendum.

It is just the latest issue link d to Russian interference through social media.

EU ministers are now expected to increase resources for countering Russian disinformation campaigns.

Spanish media have also accused Moscow-backed outlets such as Russia Today and Sputnik of playing a destabilising role in the Catalan crisis.