Russian journalist accused of spying leaves Poland
PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea
14.12.2015 08:30
Leonid Sviridov, a Russian journalist who was accused of spying, has left Poland, after authorities decided against extending his residency permit.
Leonid Sviridov. Photo: PAP/Jacek Turczyk
Prior to his departure from the Warsaw Chopin airport Sviridov said: “I have given this country a total of 18 years of my life, and I believe that such a decision against me is absolutely unjust both from a legal and human point of view.
"It is absolutely unjust and unlawful, because I am leaving without a court decision, which is absolute nonsense in a normal democratic country which is also a member of the European Union.”
Sviridov had to leave Poland after the head of the Office for Foreigners upheld a decision by the Governor of the Mazowsze region, to revoke the journalist's residence permit.
Sviridov was accused of spying for his home country, and his press accreditation was subsequently revoked by the Polish Foreign Ministry, although he has constantly maintained that such accusations are false. (rg)
Source: PAP