Enraged Moscow over France's decision

Russia has expressed outrage over France's decision to deport K. Fiodorova, a commentator for French media owned by conservative billionaire Vincent Bollore. Fiodorova previously led the French division of the Russian state-funded broadcaster RT, which was banned in France following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Russian officials described the deportation as unacceptable political persecution based on fabricated charges. Aleksey Fadeyev, deputy spokesperson for Russia's Foreign Ministry, stated, "We consider the political persecution of journalists based on fabricated charges unacceptable and strongly condemn it."

Fiodorova herself has rejected the accusations, calling them political pressure and censorship. Her lawyer informed AFP that she was abroad when the deportation order was issued. He added that she would not return to France until the order was suspended or canceled.

A Paris court upheld the decision to deport Fiodorova earlier this week, rejecting her appeal. The ruling signifies a continued stance by French authorities against Russian state-linked media operations.

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We consider the political persecution of journalists based on fabricated charges unacceptable and strongly condemn it.