Bulgarian investigative journalist Christo Grozev is unable to attend the British Bafta film awards ceremony. The police have classified him and his family as a risk to public safety, Grozev writes on Twitter.
This also shows the growing danger that independent journalists are exposed to all over the world. This comes not only from “murderous dictators”, but also from civil society, which silences journalists. The Bafta organizers said the safety of their guests and employees is a priority.
Grozev was originally invited to the award ceremony because he worked on a nominated documentary about Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. He researches Russia for the investigative platform Bellingcat and has been on the Kremlin’s most wanted list since December. According to the civil rights organization OVD-Info, proceedings were also opened against Grozev for allegedly spreading “fake news” about the Russian army.
Source: Deutschland Funk
