Crimean journalist detained as he had no accreditation – Russian Foreign Ministry

The journalists of Crimea.Realities (the Radio of Liberty project) must obtain accreditation in Russia as representatives of foreign media.

Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said this at the briefing in Moscow, commenting on detention of journalist Mykola Semena.

According to Zakharova, the journalists of Crimea.Realities should be accredited as the staff of foreign media since it is the project of Radio Liberty.

“Semena has no accreditation to work in the territory of Russia,” Zakharova said.

“A journalist of a foreign media outlet must obtain the accreditation, therefore, that person violated the Russian law,” she said.

As reported, on Tuesday, the Russian security forces detained journalist Mykola Semena in the occupied Crimea and accused him of “violating the Russian territorial integrity.”

Later, he was released on his own recognizance not to leave town. The investigation against him continues.

The international organizations have condemned the searches at homes of journalists in Crimea.