[Russia] - Germany Denies Residency Extensions for Russian State Media Employees-- RIA Novosti

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Authorities in Berlin have actually refused to extend the home authorizations of 3 existing and one former worker of Russian state media
outlets, the state-run RIA Novosti news firm reported Thursday, mentioning an unnamed German official.Two of the reporters work for Russias
state broadcaster Channel One, which accused Germany of closing down its Berlin bureau on Wednesday
Germanys Federal Foreign Office rejected that claim, suggesting the problem related to the reporters home rights.RIA Novosti, mentioning an
unnamed authorities in the Berlin Senate, reported that theBerlin Immigration Office selected not to restore the residence permits of a
Channel One correspondent and cameraman last week
That decision was allegedly based upon EU sanctions adopted in December 2022, which, among other things, prohibited several Russian news
outlets in the bloc.While the decision is not legally classified as expulsion, RIA Novosti specified that Berlins rejection efficiently
avoids the journalists from operating in Germany, describing it as identical to expulsion.Russias Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday it
would expel two employees of Germanys ARD public broadcaster in retaliation.RIA Novosti likewise reported that Berlin declined to extend a
residence license for a correspondent with Ruptly, a news company owned by the Kremlin-funded RT network.The Berlin Immigration Office
supposedly argued the reporters presence threatens Germanys interests due to RTs function in spreading disinformation and propaganda to
discredit the so-called West and the EU.The Ruptly correspondent, recognized only as a Brazilian citizen, was first informed of the decision
on Feb
22
His appeal is presently under review by a greater administrative court.In September, the Berlin Immigration Office likewise rejected
residency extensions for a former Rossiya Segodnya media group employee and his wife.Ruptly, RT and RIA Novosti are all subsidiaries of
Rossiya Segodnya.