BERLIN, December 23. /TASS/. Germany’s choice to expel reporters from Russia’s Channel One in Berlin, citing a national security concern, is an unprecedented action that infringes on freedom of expression, Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechayev told TASS in an interview.

"The decision by the German authorities to classify employees of Channel One’s news bureau in Berlin as a threat to Germany’s national security and public interests is unprecedented <…>. This constitutes a direct violation of freedom of expression, the media, and the rights of Russian journalists who have diligently performed their professional responsibilities for years," the Russian diplomat stated. He dismissed the decision as politically motivated, asserting that "Germany’s justifications are untenable."

"It wasn’t us who caused the issue. Russia was compelled to take retaliatory actions and revoke the accreditation of two ARD TV channel employees," Nechayev noted. He emphasized that the ARD news bureau in Moscow continued its operations, unlike Channel One’s Berlin office, "where not a single correspondent remains."

According to the diplomat, several other Russian reporters officially accredited by Germany are also encountering issues. "The German authorities must realize that any limitations on the work of Russian media personnel will not go unanswered. "We oppose further escalation and hope that correspondents in both countries work in peace," Nechayev concluded.

On November 27, it was reported that Germany had moved to shut down the local bureau of Russia’s Channel One television, instructing the bureau employees, Ivan Blagoy and Dmitry Volkov, in Berlin to leave the country. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko condemned the action as a clear violation of all fundamental principles of international communication. Soon after, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that, in retaliation, Moscow would expel two journalists from the German media group ARD. She added that Russia might consider accrediting new ARD employees if the German government reinstates Channel One’s news bureau operations in Berlin.