France warns CNews over possible return of expelled Russian commentator
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has warned that putting Xenia Fedorova back on air could breach her expulsion and asset-freezing measures.
France’s interior minister has warned conservative television channel CNews that criminal proceedings could follow if Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova returns to air, including via video link.
Laurent Nunez set out the warning in a letter to media regulator ARCOM, according to Le Monde and AFP. He said a broadcast appearance could contravene measures imposed after Fedorova’s expulsion from France and the freezing of her assets.
French authorities accused Fedorova of links to the Kremlin, spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda, manipulating information and public debate, and infringing the fundamental interests of the nation. The allegations have not been independently established in the source material.
CNews has indicated that Fedorova may appear on air again soon. It remains unclear whether the appearance will proceed or whether criminal proceedings will be initiated.
Fedorova, 45, formerly headed RT France, which was banned in France after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. She later became a commentator for broadcasters within Vincent Bollore’s media group, including CNews.
A French court rejected her appeal against the expulsion order in August. Fedorova has described the accusations as “censorship” and said she was already outside France when the order took effect.
