The Czech foreign Ministry refused to the correspondent of International news Agency “Russia today” (RIA Novosti), Alexander Kuranova to extend accreditation, the grounds for this decision are classified.
MOSCOW, 11 Nov. The decision of the Czech authorities to refuse accreditation to the correspondent of International news Agency “Russia today” is a manifestation of censorship and is contrary to the international principles in the sphere of protection of the rights of journalists, said spokesman of the Russian foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.
Earlier, the Czech foreign Ministry refused to prolong accreditation in the country as a freelance correspondent for the International news Agency “Russia today” (RIA Novosti), Alexander Kuranova, citing the relevant decision of the security Department of the guardian; the grounds for refusal are classified. Kuranov has been working in Prague since the 1980s, first as head of the Bureau of the press Agency “news”, then — the correspondent of “Nezavisimaya Gazeta” and “Kommersant”newspaper.
“This is another manifestation of censorship and persecution against Russian journalists in Western countries. Unfortunately, this is a departure from those standards and principles developed by international organizations in the sphere of protection of the rights of journalists ratified including this wonderful country,” — said Zakharov.
In April 2014, the Lithuanian foreign Ministry denied accreditation to the correspondent in the Republic Irina Pavlova. The documents for accreditation were filed on March 12, in accordance with all the requirements, and in April the employee of the foreign Ministry reported that in the accreditation Pavlova denied. The reasons for this decision were not reported. Later Estonia refused the employee MIA “Russia today” perekrestova the Marina entry to the country due to acting against her prohibition, for reasons which were not explained. Perekrestova went to Tallinn on a business trip, the purpose of the trip was the activity of organizing the work of journalists offices in Estonia.
It was also denied registration to the office MIA “Russia today” in Latvia. The authorities justified it by the fact that the content of this media is contrary to the Constitution of Latvia. The Russian foreign Ministry called the decision of the Riga discriminatory and politicized.
In October 2014 the Polish foreign Ministry revoked the journalistic accreditation of the correspondent MIA “Russia today” Leonid Sviridov, who was working in Warsaw since 2003.
