Vienna, 08/11/2017
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) expressed criticism after another Russian journalist received a five year ban from entering Ukraine.
On 7 November, Zakhar Vinogradov was removed from a train in Konotop in the early morning hours by border guards who proceeded to check his documentation. The news agency RIA Novosti correspondent was then blocked from entering Ukraine and received a ban that prohibiting him from entering the country for the next five years. The reason given for this decision was the prevention of “people working on anti-Ukrainian activities” from entering the country.
SEEMO expresses deep disapproval for this decision and calls on authorities in Ukraine to cease their practice of prohibiting entrance to Russian journalists and citizens to the country. All media workers must be allowed free access, and not be banned based on argument-less and fictional accusations.
SEEMO is a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South, East and Central Europe.