Russian political commentator issued with order to leave France
Xenia Fedorova has been accused of spreading Russian propaganda
A Russian political commentator has been issued with a deportation order by French authorities due to her alleged pro-Russia stance.
Xenia Fedorova, a well-known commentator and author who frequently appeared on French TV and radio stations, was issued an expulsion order (arrêté d'expulsion) by the Interior Ministry on Wednesday (July 29).
On Friday (July 31) authorities froze her assets for six months. The freeze takes place immediately and can be renewed.
Such deportation orders are rare in France and differ from the standard order to leave France (OQTF).
An OQTF is typically issued to people who no longer have the right to live in France, whereas deportation orders are expressly aimed at those who have a valid residence permit.
They can be issued by the government in cases where they believe it is necessary because an individual poses a threat to the nation’s security.
It allows authorities to forcibly remove a person back to their country of origin or another country.
Ms Fedorova plans to appeal the deportation order, and is currently under house arrest. She must report to her local police station daily.
Propagandist or contrarian?
The former head of RT France (The French arm of Russia Today or RT, a Russian state media operation), Ms Fedorova has become increasingly well-known in France through various media appearances.
These mostly took place on CNews (TV), Europe 1 (Radio) and in the weekly newspaper JDNews.
All of these are owned by media mogul Vincent Bolloré, (or the Bolloré Group), who is often touted as a backer of far-right political stances and who has a close relationship with the Russian commentator.
Mr Bolloré also controls elements of Canal+, including channels where Ms Fedorova sometimes appeared, with the popular TV broadcaster being among several to criticise the deportation order.
They called it "a particularly serious infringement on freedom of expression,” in a joint press release on Wednesday alongside her fellow employer, France Lagardère.
Ms Fedorova did not have previous training or experience as a journalist before her work with RT, however was said to be excellent at networking and a diligent worker.
Authorities cite Ms Fedorova’s pro-Russian sentiment – at a time when tensions between the countries are high – as the reason for the deportation order.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has previously called her “a Russian propagandist,” although Ms Fedorova said she merely offers an ‘alternative perspective’ to most French media outlets, reports Franceinfo.
She has continually repeated Russian claims and arguments, including calling the war in Ukraine a ‘special operation’, the term used by Russian authorities.
She has also repeated Russian comments about the Baltic States – EU members and French allies – including that they are attempting to undermine Russia and glorify Nazism.
She also argues that the West are unnaturally prolonging the war in Ukraine.
