Paris court rejects Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova's appeal against expulsion order

Court rejects emergency appeal

The Paris administrative court on Monday rejected an emergency appeal by Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova against an expulsion order, house arrest and a six-month asset freeze. The court found she had failed to demonstrate "extreme urgency", a requirement for the fast-track procedure she chose. Fedorova, who has been under house arrest in Paris since Wednesday, did not show any need to leave the Paris area, had not requested authorization from the police prefect, and merely stated that the daily check-in obligation caused her inconvenience, the court said in a statement.

“The judge considered that the condition of extreme urgency could not be met.”

The ruling leaves in place all three government measures: the expulsion order, the requirement to remain in Paris and report to police daily, and the asset freeze.

Fedorova was abroad during proceedings

In a twist, Fedorova's lawyer Emmanuel Piwnica revealed that his client was already abroad on vacation when she was informed of the measures against her. She does not plan to return to France unless the expulsion order is suspended or annulled.

“My client was already abroad, on vacation, when she was informed of the measures against her. She does not plan to return to France until the expulsion order has been suspended or annulled.”

Piwnica expressed "very great regret" at the court's decision and said Fedorova intends to contest it. The court noted that the rejection does not prevent her from filing a new emergency appeal with more detailed personal circumstances, or from pursuing a suspension procedure.

Accusations of disinformation

French authorities accuse Fedorova of being a relay for disinformation campaigns orchestrated by Russian authorities to destabilize public order. The interior ministry's expulsion order described her as a conduit for propaganda and considered her presence a "grave and current threat to public order." Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez specifically pointed to her comments.

“Many comments she has made that systematically repeat propaganda.”

Fedorova, 45, was the director of RT France from 2017 to 2022. The Kremlin-funded channel was banned in the European Union after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. She openly defends President Vladimir Putin's rhetoric, referring to the invasion as a "special operation" and blaming the West for prolonging the conflict. She has refused the expulsion, alleging political pressure and censorship by Paris.

Media presence and political context

Fedorova appears regularly on CNews, Europe 1 and in the weekly JDNews, all media outlets owned by conservative French billionaire Vincent Bolloré. Her Russia-friendly views on Ukraine, NATO and European security have come under growing scrutiny. Her growing presence in these outlets has raised concerns about manipulation of public debate, particularly ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The case has divided opinion: Canal+ and Lagardère have denounced the measures as an attack on freedom of expression, while the government invokes the fight against foreign interference.

What happens next

Fedorova's lawyer said she will pursue further legal challenges. The court clarified that she can again seize the emergency judge by explaining the particular circumstances of her situation, or she can file a suspension appeal. For now, the expulsion order stands, and Fedorova remains outside France.