French court rejects pro-Kremlin commentator's expulsion appeal

A Paris court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Russian television commentator against an order to leave France after authorities accused her of spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda.

Xenia Fedorova, a former journalist for Russia's state-run channel RT, failed to show that the order to leave France would have "serious personal consequences", the Paris administrative court said.

France last week ordered the 45-year-old to leave the country and froze her assets, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez accusing her of relaying Russian propaganda to undermine "the fundamental interests of the nation".

Fedorova is a commentator for outlets within conservative French billionaire Vincent Bollore's media stable, including CNews television channel, which is seen as modelled on America's Fox News.

The voices of the widely followed outlets will be key in 2027 presidential elections where the far-right of Marine Le Pen scents its best ever chance of winning the Elysee.

Russian propaganda

Fedorova, who has also written for Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper, said France had ordered her expulsion under an "emergency procedure".

She has been placed under house arrest, according to a source close to the case.

France also said it was freezing Fedorova's assets for six months.

Fedorova's employers said this week they were astonished to learn of the expulsion order, which they said amounted to "a particularly serious infringement of freedom of expression".

Nunez said the order to leave was "thoroughly justified".

"It refers to numerous statements she has made which systematically repeat Kremlin propaganda regarding France's involvement, what is happening in Ukraine, and the reasons and motivations behind Russia's aggression in Ukraine," he told broadcaster RTL.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)