Russia asks Britain for explanation over Rossiya Segodnya’s account closure

Russia has demanded urgent explanations from the British authorities over the closure of the Rossiya Segodnya media holding Barclays’ bank account, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"The Russian side has demanded from the British authorities to explain why the London-based Barclays bank has closed the account of the Rossiya Segodnya media holding. The account was opened unilaterally on July 8, 2015," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry said that the Russian state news agency — MIA Rossiya Segodnya-had not been notified or warned of the forthcoming account closure. Its holders have not been informed of what happened to the funds that were on the bank account. The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the current situation was creating an obstacle to Rossiya Segodnya’s operations in the British territory.

"As far as we know, the account was closed in connection with individual sanctions imposed on Dmitry Kiselyov, director-general of the MIA Rossiya Segodnya media holding," the Russian Foreign Ministry added.