Russia expelled Dutch journalist from country due to two fines
Russia canceled the residence permit for the correspondent of the Dutch newspaper Volkskrant in Moscow, Tom Vennink, and banned him from entering the country until 2025. The journalist left for the Netherlands.
The newspaper reported that the reason for the expulsion of Vennink was two administrative violations: in November 2019, he was fined for untimely reporting of a change of residence, in January 2020, the journalist was fined for an uncoordinated visit to Chukotka.
“In previous years, administrative violations have never been an obstacle to the extension of a residence permit,” said the editor-in-chief of the publication Peter Klock.
Vennink, who has worked in Moscow for de Volkskrant since 2015, has been trying to renew his journalistic accreditation since the beginning of autumn. Last week it was only extended for a seven-week period without any explanation, reported the journalist himself.
“It is unacceptable for the Netherlands that a journalist is forced to leave the country against his will,” the Dutch Foreign Ministry said.
The Russian authorities did not comment on Vennink’s expulsion in any way.
“On Monday [1 ноября] I was informed that I must leave Russia within three days, ” are given Vennink’s words on de Volkskrant’s website.
He has already left the country.
“I see no reason that can be directed against me personally or against Volkskrant. It is clear that relations between the Netherlands and Russia have been very bad since the crash of MH-17 in 2014, ”the journalist said.
In the Netherlands, the trial of the Malaysian Boeing MH-17 shot down over Donbas continues. Three citizens of Russia and one citizen of Ukraine are accused of involvement in the plane crash and death of 298 people.
Vennink wrote on political and social topics – not only about Russia, but also about Ukraine and Belarus.
In Russia, over the past year, pressure on journalists has increased, including correspondents of foreign publications. In August of this year, Russian authorities ordered BBC correspondent Sarah Rainsford to leave the country before the end of her visa. As follows from the explanations of the authorities, this action was a response to discrimination against Russian journalists working in the UK.
Russian state television reported that Sarah Rainsford’s accreditation will not be renewed after her visa expires. The BBC called on the Russian authorities to reconsider their decision to deny accreditation.
Over the past six months, the Russian Ministry of Justice has been increasingly importing media and individual journalists into foreign agent lists. So, in April, the foreign agent recognized Meduza, in May – VTimes, in July – The Insider, “The project was recognized as an undesirable organization.
In August, the list of foreign agents included the Dozhd TV channel and the Vazhnye Stories publication, in September – OVD-Info, Mediazona and Zona Prava, in the group – Bellingcat, Caucasian Knot.
Also included in the list is the correspondent of the Russian service of the BBC Andrei Zakharov. The BBC categorically rejected the Russian decision of the authorities and announced that it would challenge this decision.