Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Germany appeals to Russia to allow entry of journalist

Germany appeals to Russia to allow entry of journalist | iNFOnews.ca
FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2017 file photo Hajo Seppelt, journalist for the German ARD Television, poses for photographer on the side line of the International Olympic Committee, IOC, Executive Board meeting, in Lausanne, Switzerland. German officials called Saturday on the global soccer federation FIFA to intervene after the journalist who exposed systematic doping in Russian athletics was denied entry to Russia to report on the upcoming World Cup. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)

BERLIN – Germany has appealed to the Russian government to let in a journalist who exposed systematic doping in Russian athletics and was denied entry to Russia to report on the upcoming World Cup.

A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday that the cancellation of Hajo Seppelt’s Russian visa was “wrong.”

Steffen Seibert said “we are convinced that it would look bad on Russia’s part if it would so obviously curb press freedom while the world is watching.”

Seibert also called on the global soccer federation FIFA to intervene.

Seppelt works for German public broadcaster ARD. FIFA confirmed last week that it had already approved his accreditation request to the World Cup and was trying to obtain further information from Russian authorities about the case.

News from © iNFOnews.ca, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

iNFOTEL

Related Articles