Russian embassy threatens Swiss journalists with imprisonment – sharp reactions

The Russian embassy in Bern reads the local newspapers carefully. Whenever her columns criticize Russia or President Vladimir Putin, she replies. With long, sharp texts on the website of the embassy and on social media. Tenor: The Swiss media have no idea. And they are part of Western propaganda.

Now the message does not stop at concise words. In a statement that has received little attention to this day, she threatened the NZZ’s Vienna-based Eastern Europe correspondent, Ivo Mijnssen, with arrest if he entered Russia. The “public justification of terrorism and terrorism propaganda” is punishable by a prison sentence of five to seven years, the embassy warns. In doing so, she ignites a new level of escalation.

The Russian representatives were outraged by an article by Mijnssen that appeared almost two weeks ago. In it, the journalist reports on life and Ukrainian resistance in the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia region. The Russian embassy accused him of “giving readers the impression that almost everyone in the city hates Russia”. From their point of view, it is clear that the author “adopts only the most ridiculous inventions and rumors spread by the Kiev regime and its accomplices.”

Decision provokes strong reactions

Reactions on social media have been fierce. WOZ journalist Kaspar Surber speaks of an “incomprehensible interference” in press freedom in Switzerland. “The Bundesrat should not put up with that,” he writes on Twitter. And former Russia correspondent for Radio SRF, David Nauer, calls for “Solidarity with Ivo!”

Critical tones can also be heard in politics. The verbal attacks have long gone too far for Aargau Central National Councillor, Marianne Binder-Keller. “The statements of the Russian ambassador are absolutely questionable in content and tone. They remind me of Cold War propaganda. In my opinion, the nature of the personal attacks can also be understood as covert harassment,” she told CH Media two years ago.

As a result, the politician asked the Bundesrat whether he considered this tone “compatible with diplomatic practice”. In its response, the state government was silent. The right to freedom of the media is “an important cornerstone of our democracy”. You maintain this right. “As a rule, the Federal Council does not comment on statements by ambassadors accredited in Switzerland about media reports.” (aargauerzeitung.ch)