Sans identifier of source, the television channel Rossiïa 24 explained jeudi soir that the visa of the British journal expires on the 31st year and that it is not considered to be renewed, a measure presented as a response to the British press suppositions on Russian media in the United Kingdom.
“It is a milestone of expulsion,” commented the journalist from the Russian channel.
Russian authorities continue to publicly criticize Western media content about Russia, regularly denouncing articles or reports deemed Russophobic. But expulsions of journalists remain rare.
“The expulsion of Sarah Rainsford constitutes a direct attack on press freedom which we condemn without reservation,” the BBC reacted in a statement on Friday night.
“We ask the Russian authorities to reverse their decision. In the meantime, we will continue to report events in the region independently and impartially, “added the British group, calling Sarah Rainsford an” exceptional and fearless journalist. “
For her part, Russian diplomacy spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed the information of half a word with sarcasm in a message published on Telegram.
“Don’t be shy,” he wrote. “Representatives of the BBC recently visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, everything was explained, so they can tell everything.”
The spokeswoman also stressed that Russia had denounced in the past, without effect, the “humiliation with visas inflicted by London on Russian correspondents in Great Britain.”
On August 9, the Russian Foreign Ministry had already declared unidentified British citizens personae non gratae “engaged in anti-Russian activities”.
This measure was presented in response to the ban of Russians from the territory of the United Kingdom as part of the British sanctions adopted in 2020 and 2021.