By Serife Cetin
A Russian journalist was “attacked” as he tried to question German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at the UN General Assembly meetings last week and had his UN accreditation downgraded this week.
Valentin Bogdanov, bureau chief of the Russia 1 television channel at UN headquarters in New York, told Anadolu that on the first day of the General Assembly meetings, he saw Baerbock in an unrestricted area for journalists and wanted to approach and ask a question, like other reporters.
He briefly asked the foreign minister whether "direct negotiations could be held between Germany and Russia regarding the situation in Ukraine," which he indicated could have easily been answered with a "Yes" or "No" response.
- ‘Attacked’ by German diplomat
Bogdanov then said while headed to a news conference that Baerbock pointed to with German journalists, he was “attacked” and prevented from moving forward by a German diplomat from the German Permanent Mission in New York.
He said despite asserting his status as an accredited UN correspondent, others tried to physically block him from getting near Baerbock.
He was also pushed by others before he was forced to abandon his attempt to get to the news conference.
- 11 years at UN; knowing rules well
Bogdanov has worked at the UN for 11 years and said he is very familiar with the rules.
He immediately contacted the UN press office about the assault but Bogdanov received a letter from the press office earlier this week that said he and his cameraman's media accreditation had been downgraded for "violating the rules."
He noted that the letter stated that permission from officials was required for interviews, but he clarified to Anadolu he was not conducting an interview but was simply trying to ask a question, just as other journalists who were present.
- Punishment for doing his job
"I was punished simply for doing my job," said Bogdanov, while noting the UN press office did not reach out to provide him with or obtain information about the decision.
He also said the physical attack constitutes an assault under American law, and while he could, he has no intention of filing a formal complaint.
- Russian mission raises issue with UN cheif
Russian UN Ambassador Representative Vassily Nebenzia reported that he raised the "outrageous" issue with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, demanding the urgent reversal of the "unacceptable" decision.
He described the treatment of Bogdanov as shocking and said the person from the German Permanent Mission who led the assault should be punished.
- UN has not commented
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the matter is being addressed by the UN Global Communications Office.
He noted that he does not have details at the moment but will share information when available.