The ambassador was told that “such intimidation” was not tolerated in Switzerland, where the constitution guarantees the freedom of information and of the press, a foreign ministry spokesman told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Thursday.
The foreign ministry was responding to a recent statement by the Russian embassy regarding the work of a Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) journalist covering the war in Ukraine. In Russia, wrote the embassy, the journalist’s coverage was liable to land him a financial penalty, a prison term, or a period of forced labour.
The NZZ article in question was about, among other things, Ukrainian resistance in the city of Melitopol in the south-eastern region of Zaporizhzhia.
The Russian embassy claimed that the vocabulary used in the article was aimed at justifying terrorism, and that the author had also reported “the most ridiculous inventions and rumours” – such as the “peaceful guerrilla actions including women from the city distributing pastries laced with laxatives to Russian soldiers” mentioned in the piece.
In a written response to the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper on Wednesday, the Russian embassy said its statement was “in no way threatening”. It wrote: “We merely remind NZZ journalists that despite freedom of expression they live in a rule of law, and they should follow the laws, which among other things forbid the supporting of terrorist activities, as we indicated to the dear journalist”.
More
More
Russian ambassador backs Swiss President ‘war frenzy’ statement
This content was published on
Russia’s ambassador to Bern wants Switzerland to resist pressure to ramp up oligarch sanctions and to send weapons to Ukraine.
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
Switzerland increasingly a target for people smuggling and trafficking
This content was published on
Switzerland is increasingly being targeted by organized crime. This also applies to commercial people smuggling, the fastest growing criminal market in Europe.
Swiss forests better equipped against storms 25 years after Lothar
This content was published on
Twenty-five years ago, Hurricane Lothar toppled trees like dominoes in Switzerland. Forests today are better prepared to cope with such an exceptional event, say experts.
This content was published on
The Locarno Film Festival is considering moving from the beginning of August to the second half of July for its 80th edition in 2027.
Council of Europe head Alain Berset visits Georgia
This content was published on
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, is visiting Georgia, which has been rocked by a political crisis, from Wednesday.
Swiss politician who shot at Jesus faces criminal proceedings
This content was published on
The Zurich public prosecutor's office has opened criminal proceedings against politician Sanija Ameti. It is investigating whether she disrupted freedom of religion and worship.
Switzerland must be able to control immigration, says head of business federation
This content was published on
Switzerland must be able to control immigration itself if it "exceeds the tolerable limits", says Christoph Mäder, president of Economiesuisse, the Swiss Business Federation.
This content was published on
The film Reinas by Klaudia Reynicke, a Swiss-Peruvian-Spanish co-production, has missed out on an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Bern residents rail against Russian diplomats
This content was published on
Bern’s diplomatic district is the scene of an ongoing dispute between Russia’s embassy in Switzerland and a group of residents.
Russian diplomat in Switzerland resigns over invasion of Ukraine
This content was published on
A Russian diplomat in Geneva has said he is leaving his post because of his disagreement with Moscow. He hopes the Swiss government will help him.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.