Russian independent journalist not allowed to leave country
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 13 November 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russian independent journalist not allowed to leave country, 13 November 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/548ea8974.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 13, 2014
By RFE/RL's Russian Service
KHABAROVSK, Russia – The editor-in-chief of an independent Russian news website has been prevented from traveling abroad.
Oleg Potapenko of the online news portal Amurburg.ru in the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk says he and his partner were detained for several hours in the city's airport, on November 12.
Police confiscated their mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, saying they might contain classified information.
Later Potapenko, who is openly gay, and his partner were prevented from boarding a plane to Hong Kong when border guards said a page was missing from Potapenko's passport.
Potapenko says the page has been cut off by a police officer, who requested his passport for a check earlier that day.
Potapenko was fined 2,000 rubles ($43) for the "violation of border crossing regulations."
Potapenko's website has reported about the presence of Russian troops in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian army has been battling pro-Russian separatists.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
