Berlin Upholds Sanctions on Russian News Team
Authorities in Berlin announced that two Russian journalists have been targeted under EU sanctions laws. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
A correspondent and cameraman for Channel One, a Russian public broadcaster, have been denied residency permits in Germany, as confirmed by local authorities in Berlin on Wednesday evening.
Responding to the Berliner Zeitung, Berlin’s local government stated that correspondent Ivan Blagoy and cameraman Dmitry Volkov were denied the needed permits. The immigration office indicated this decision was made because the National Media Group, which co-owns Channel One, is included in the EU’s ninth sanctions package.
As a result, the permits were denied based on regulations concerning foreigners who “impair or endanger the interests” of Germany, as reported by the Berliner Zeitung. The newspaper added that a total of five individuals have faced similar actions in Berlin “in recent months.”
On Wednesday morning, Channel One announced that the German authorities had ordered the closure of its bureau in the capital. The German Foreign Ministry quickly dismissed these claims as “false,” affirming that “Russian journalists can, as before, broadcast freely and unhindered in Germany.”
The broadcaster contended that these journalists were targeted specifically because of their association with Channel One. Blagoy explained, “Yes, our press credentials have not been revoked. However, we were barred from being physically present in the country, which means we were effectively barred from working in accordance with our credentials.”
Blagoy reported receiving a notification from the Berlin authorities stating that Channel One is disseminating “propaganda and disinformation” related to the Ukraine conflict, posing “a significant and direct threat to public order and security of Germany and the European Union.” He has refuted these allegations, asserting that his reporting is accurate. The broadcaster characterized the expulsion of its staff as “punishment for truth and professionalism.”
In retaliation, Russia expelled correspondent Frank Aischmann and technical employee Sven Feller from Germany’s ARD public broadcaster. ARD Foreign Coordinator Joerg Schoenenborn condemned this decision, alleging that Moscow is employing “intimidation and restrictions” against the channel’s reporting.
Since 2022, the EU has prohibited various Russian news organizations for “disinformation,” leading Russia to blacklist numerous Western media outlets in response.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
Responding to the Berliner Zeitung, Berlin’s local government stated that correspondent Ivan Blagoy and cameraman Dmitry Volkov were denied the needed permits. The immigration office indicated this decision was made because the National Media Group, which co-owns Channel One, is included in the EU’s ninth sanctions package.
As a result, the permits were denied based on regulations concerning foreigners who “impair or endanger the interests” of Germany, as reported by the Berliner Zeitung. The newspaper added that a total of five individuals have faced similar actions in Berlin “in recent months.”
On Wednesday morning, Channel One announced that the German authorities had ordered the closure of its bureau in the capital. The German Foreign Ministry quickly dismissed these claims as “false,” affirming that “Russian journalists can, as before, broadcast freely and unhindered in Germany.”
The broadcaster contended that these journalists were targeted specifically because of their association with Channel One. Blagoy explained, “Yes, our press credentials have not been revoked. However, we were barred from being physically present in the country, which means we were effectively barred from working in accordance with our credentials.”
Blagoy reported receiving a notification from the Berlin authorities stating that Channel One is disseminating “propaganda and disinformation” related to the Ukraine conflict, posing “a significant and direct threat to public order and security of Germany and the European Union.” He has refuted these allegations, asserting that his reporting is accurate. The broadcaster characterized the expulsion of its staff as “punishment for truth and professionalism.”
In retaliation, Russia expelled correspondent Frank Aischmann and technical employee Sven Feller from Germany’s ARD public broadcaster. ARD Foreign Coordinator Joerg Schoenenborn condemned this decision, alleging that Moscow is employing “intimidation and restrictions” against the channel’s reporting.
Since 2022, the EU has prohibited various Russian news organizations for “disinformation,” leading Russia to blacklist numerous Western media outlets in response.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
