Russia has declined to extend the visa of a Spanish journalist working for El Mundo, as reported by the newspaper on Thursday.
Xavier Colas, a Moscow correspondent with 12 years of experience reporting from Russia, was informed by a Russian official that his visa would not be renewed, prompting him to leave the country, according to the newspaper.
“After 12 years of reporting from Moscow, the Russian authorities have decided at the last minute not to renew my journalist visa,” Colas stated. “I was given only 24 hours to depart the country, leaving behind much. I have no regrets. I simply carried out my duties: I reported on the events unfolding.”
Foreign correspondents must possess a valid visa and accreditation from Russia’s Foreign Ministry in order to work lawfully in the country.
The Russian foreign ministry did not immediately provide a comment in response to a request for clarification. Likewise, El Mundo, headquartered in Madrid, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Colas recently published a book in Spanish titled “Putinistan.”
Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Russia has implemented stricter controls over information and media, labeling many journalists and activists as “foreign agents.”
Following the commencement of the war and the arrest of Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges in March 2023, almost all American journalists have exited Russia. Russia claims Gershkovich was caught in the act, while the United States and the Journal assert his innocence.
Several Western nations discourage travel to Russia entirely and urge their citizens to depart. The U.S. issues the highest travel advisory level for Russia – red “4 – Do not travel” – placing it on par with countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, South Sudan, and Iran.
(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Lucy Marks)
