Moscow responds to Germany detaining couple over ‘illegal’ RT broadcasts
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized the detention of a German couple accused of disseminating prohibited Russian channels. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarked that the arrest of a couple in Germany coincided with the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
Lavrov pointed out that Berlin has seemingly chosen to mark this day with arrests, following the couple's detention on suspicions of streaming RTN and other Russian television channels online.
In March 2022, most Russian media organizations were banned in the European Union amid escalating tensions between Moscow and Kiev.
The couple was apprehended last week, just before the annual observance of the International Day for Universal Access to Information, which takes place on September 28. During a press conference at the UN, Lavrov commented on the matter, implying that the arrest was an inappropriate way to honor the day.
“I would like to speak of how this day is celebrated in Germany. It has been reported that a married couple has been arrested in Germany, they are suspected of organizing the broadcast of several Russian television channels on the internet,” he stated.
German authorities claim that the couple has provided “several sanctioned Russian TV channels to their customers via an IP-TV service since at least the beginning of 2022.” Police from Karlsruhe conducted a raid on the couple’s residence, confiscating “extensive technical equipment, written evidence, and 40,000 euros in cash.”
Furthermore, a district court has enacted an asset seizure order against the couple, targeting approximately €120,000 in “illegal income” generated from their alleged activities. Should they be found guilty of breaching the Foreign Trade Act, they could face a minimum of one year in prison. The investigation remains ongoing, and there may be further charges brought against them.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
Lavrov pointed out that Berlin has seemingly chosen to mark this day with arrests, following the couple's detention on suspicions of streaming RTN and other Russian television channels online.
In March 2022, most Russian media organizations were banned in the European Union amid escalating tensions between Moscow and Kiev.
The couple was apprehended last week, just before the annual observance of the International Day for Universal Access to Information, which takes place on September 28. During a press conference at the UN, Lavrov commented on the matter, implying that the arrest was an inappropriate way to honor the day.
“I would like to speak of how this day is celebrated in Germany. It has been reported that a married couple has been arrested in Germany, they are suspected of organizing the broadcast of several Russian television channels on the internet,” he stated.
German authorities claim that the couple has provided “several sanctioned Russian TV channels to their customers via an IP-TV service since at least the beginning of 2022.” Police from Karlsruhe conducted a raid on the couple’s residence, confiscating “extensive technical equipment, written evidence, and 40,000 euros in cash.”
Furthermore, a district court has enacted an asset seizure order against the couple, targeting approximately €120,000 in “illegal income” generated from their alleged activities. Should they be found guilty of breaching the Foreign Trade Act, they could face a minimum of one year in prison. The investigation remains ongoing, and there may be further charges brought against them.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
