A Paris administrative court has rejected an appeal by Russian television commentator Xenia Fedorova against an order to leave France.
The court stated that Fedorova failed to demonstrate that the expulsion order would result in 'serious personal consequences'.
French authorities accused Fedorova of spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda.
Expulsion and asset freeze
France has ordered Fedorova to leave the country and has frozen her assets for a period of six months.
Fedorova stated that the expulsion was ordered under an 'emergency procedure'.
A source close to the case stated that Fedorova has been placed under house arrest.
Government and employer responses
Systematically repeat Kremlin propaganda
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told RTL that the order to leave was 'thoroughly justified'. He further accused Fedorova of relaying Russian propaganda to undermine 'the fundamental interests of the nation'.
Fedorova's employers described the expulsion order as 'a particularly serious infringement of freedom of expression'.
Media background
Fedorova is reported to be a former journalist for Russia's state-run channel RT. She is reported to be a commentator for media outlets within Vincent Bolloré's media stable, including the CNews television channel, which is seen as modelled on America's Fox News. She has also reportedly written for the Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper.
The influence of widely followed media outlets is considered key for the 2027 French presidential elections, which Marine Le Pen's far-right movement views as its best chance of winning the Elysee.
