Russia bans two French lawmakers, two journalists: ministry

MOSCOW: Russia on Wednesday said it was banning entry to two French lawmakers and two French journalists in response to the expulsion of a pro-Kremlin TV commentator by France this year.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said lawmakers Sacha Houlie and Arthur Delaporte would be banned, along with journalists Paul Gogo and Ariane Chemin.

She said this was for the alleged “harassment” of Xenia Fedorova, former head of RT France who was described as an “agent of influence” by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and expelled.

Fedorova, who wrote for right-wing French media, slammed “censorship” against her, while Moscow for months pledged to retaliate against “persecution.”