Russian lawmakers want Deutsche Welle to be classified as “undesirable,” which would mean that its content would be prohibited across all national platforms.
The British Council and Deutsche Welle should be added to the list of “undesirable” organizations in Russia, according to a proposal made by lawmakers in the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament.
The Russian Federation’s Prosecutor General’s Office has received their request, according to a statement made on Tuesday by Vasily Piskarev, the chairman of the Committee on Security and Corruption Control.
“We mean blocking their accounts, closing their branches and offices, and banning the distribution of information materials,” he said. “And for those who continue to cooperate or establish contacts with them, will be subject to administrative and criminal liability.”
Russia already labels Deutsche Welle a ‘foreign agent’
The Russian authorities banned Deutsche Welle from broadcasting in Russia on February 3, 2022, and labeled it a “foreign agent” in March of the same year.
Deutsche Welle Director General Peter Limbourg condemned the step at the time, calling it an “arbitrary decision by the Russian authorities.”
“It is a further attack on press freedom and a fresh attempt to cut the Russian population off from free, independent media,” he said.
