Sweden Asks Russia For Explanation On Barred Journalist

7 September 2005 -- The Swedish government yesterday demanded an explanation from Russia why a Swedish television journalist based in Moscow had been denied a visa extension.

Foreign Minister Laila Freivalds said Swedish officials met with a representative of the Russian Embassy to express Sweden's astonishment.

She was speaking after Bert Sundstroem, Moscow correspondent for public television channel SVT, was denied a renewal of his visa.

She said Sweden has no knowledge of anything the journalist might have done to be denied the right to continue his work in Russia.

(AFP)