Interior Minister warns CNews of criminal penalties if Russian commentator returns
France's interior minister has alerted the media regulator that CNews could face criminal sanctions if it reinstates Russian propagandist Xenia Fedorova on its schedule.
Xenia Fedorova, a Russian commentator formerly employed by the Canal+ group, was expelled from France and has since been absent from the country. Recent reports suggest she may return to CNews broadcasting from an unknown foreign base. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez formally warned Arcom, the national communications authority, that allowing her back on the channel would constitute a violation subject to criminal sanctions.
He reiterated that her expulsion was intended to halt public disorder and to block any repeat of the conduct that led to her removal. Nuñez also noted that her financial assets were frozen following the expulsion, reinforcing the government's stance against her reappearance on French media.
