NatWest Bank has told Kremlin-funded broadcaster Russia Today that it will no longer be able to service the channel in a two months' time.
Margarita Simonyan, the channel's editor-in-chief, tweeted in Russian: “They've closed our accounts in Britain. All our accounts. The decision is not subject to review. Praise be to freedom of speech!''
The channel received a letter from NatWest Bank, which said: “We have recently undertaken a review of your banking arrangements with us and reached the conclusion that we will no longer provide these facilities.” NatWest wrote that the entire Royal Bank of Scotland Group, of which the bank is part, will refuse to service RT.
Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, wrote on Facebook: “It looks like, as it leaves the EU, London has decided to leave behind all its obligations toward freedom of speech. As they say, best to start a new life without bad habits.”
The move comes a day after the U.S. and Britain spoke of considering further sanctions against Moscow if the bombing of Aleppo by Syrian and Russian forces continued.
RT has previously been sanctioned by Ofcom, the British media-regulating body. Last year, Ofcom ruled that the Kremlin-backed channel breached the broadcasting code in its programs on the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
