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RIA Novosti
Thomas Nilsen, editor of Barents Observer The Independent, which is based at the border with Russia, Kirkenes, and writes about issues of Russian-Norwegian cooperation, was denied entry to Russia for five years, the publication reported on its website.
“On Wednesday, Thomas Nielsen arrived at the border crossing point Borisoglebsk on the border between Russia and Norway, where they were withdrawn by employees of the FSB border service and informed that his presence in Russia undesirable. The FSB said that he was a threat to national security and is prohibited from entering Russia for five years”, — stated in the message.
As notes the edition, Nielsen was supposed to arrive in Murmansk with a delegation of the Danish parliamentary Committee on foreign policy. “I was told that the entry to Russia is forbidden me by considerations of state security. Staff are not able to explain why — it was clear that the decision was made somewhere in other place”, – quotes The Independent Barents Observer the words of Nielsen.
As explained by the journalist provided by the border guards, the paper reported that the decision was made on the basis of article 27 of the Federal law on entry and exit from the Russian Federation. The article of the law States that “Entry to the Russian Federation foreign citizen or person without citizenship is not permitted if it is necessary for the purposes of ensuring the defensive capability or security of the state”.
As notes the edition, the editor has a valid five-year multiple entry visas and accreditation in Russia.
The Independent Barents Observer – a newspaper owned by the journalistic team covering the event in the European and Russian Arctic. The publication publishes news in English and Russian languages.