24 April 2008, 17:43
Canadian journalist Jane Armstrong expelled from Chechnya
Jane Armstrong, a Canadian journalist and correspondent of the "Globe and Mail" newspaper, has been deported from Chechnya. Ms Armstrong was detained on April 17, together with her interpreter - a Russian Olga Kravets - in the "Kavkaz" Hotel in the city of Grozny by employees of the Department of the Federal Migration Service (FMS) for the Chechen Republic (ChR) and the ChR's Department of Russian FSB (Federal Security Bureau).
It is stated in the press release issued by the Regional Public Movement "Chechen Committee for National Salvation" (ChCNS) that the aim of Canadian journalist's visit to Chechnya was to study the life, customs, traditions, history and culture of the Chechen nation.
The ChCNS' statement notes that Jane Armstrong possessed all the required documents: she had an accreditation, issued by the RF's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on journalistic activities in the territory of Chechnya, including the zone of counterterrorist operation.
Meanwhile, the employees of the FSB and FMS in the Chechen Republic asked for some other special document attached to the accreditation, which was not in place, therefore they found Ms Armstrong's presence in Chechnya to be illegal.
Jane Armstrong was fined by 300,000 roubles and ruled to immediately leave the territory of Chechnya. On April 21, James Armstrong left Russia.
