Russian journalist in Poland has permit rescinded

Sviridov can appeal to the Foreigner’s Office in Warsaw against Tuesday’s decision by the provincial governor.

The Polish government has also commenced procedures to take away Sviridov’s long-term EU resident permit, as requested by Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW).

The application and materials referring to the case are confidential.

According to media reports, ABW wants to expel the Russian journalist from Poland, because he is suspected of having spied for Russia.

“After careful consideration of the matter, the provincial governor granted the request of the Internal Security Agency,” the spokesperson for the Mazowsze Province, Ivetta Biały, told the PAP news agency.

Last autumn the Foreign Ministry withdrew Sviridov’s press accreditation, but the correspondent of the Moscow-based RIA Novosti agency insisted he was not a spy. (rg)

Source: PAP