French court rejects pro-Kremlin commentator's deportation appeal

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 Bolloré's media stable, including CNews television channel, which is seen as modelled on America's Fox News.

She was the former head of the French arm of Russia's state-run channel RT, which was banned in France after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Disinformation experts have raised the alarm about her influence as France heads into one of its most consequential elections, with the far-right eyeing presidential power.

Fedorova last week slammed what she called "censorship" and "political pressure".

"We are witnessing an entirely new form of political pressure with a single objective: the censorship of opinions that do not conform to the official narrative," she wrote on social media platform X.

France to expel pro-Kremlin media commentator Xenia Fedorova

Influence

"Those who celebrate this decision lack foresight, because today it is me, and tomorrow it will be anyone who dares to speak outside the bounds of approved thinking."

The expulsion order marks a reversal by French authorities, who had previously said there was little they could do.

France had extended Fedorova's residence permit by 10 years in 2024.

The turnabout came after French daily Le Monde threw the spotlight on Fedorova's ties to 74-year-old Bolloré.

The newspaper called Fedorova his "protege" and "the Kremlin's most influential propagandist in France".

In an editorial, Le Monde said the French authorities were slow to react on Fedorova's case, adding the expulsion order was not meant to silence her.

"Once the order is carried out, her employers will still be free to broadcast her views without opposition – remotely, should they wish," it said.

(with AFP)