Int'l journalists' organizations condemn deportation of U.S. citizen Satter from Russia
BRUSSELS. Jan 15 (Interfax) - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) criticized the decision of the Russian authorities to deport U.S. reporter David Satter and urged Moscow to allow him to return to the country.
"The decision of the Russian government to expel the highly respected journalist David Satter undermines the country's commitment to freedom of expression and basic human rights," IFJ President Jim Boumelha was quoted as saying in a statement that was obtained by Interfax on Wednesday.
Boumelha said he urged Russia to reverse this decision and allow Satter to return to the country, so that he can continue his work as a journalist.
"Satter has done nothing wrong, but it seems that the Russian government has taken this opportunity to rid themselves of a journalist who dares to question their methods and reveal the truth about wrongdoings," the document quoted EFJ President Mogens Blicher Bjerregard as saying.