On February 16, “Al-Jazeera” filming group that came to Ukraine from Moscow in order to cover the first Maidan’s Tragic events’ anniversary, was detained at Boryspil Airport . This was reported by Mr.Oleh Kisilevsky, former employee of Presidential Administration and current Head of Ads&Publishing Department at Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine, on his Facebook. Mr.Kisilevsky later confirmed the information for “Telekritika” in person.
According to him, when the filming group arrived and went for customs procedures, they were asked to show invitation letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The Ministry sent the requested letter, but the border guards also demanded that someone from the state officials called them and confirmed the purpose of the group’s visit.
Mr.Dmytro Kuleba, Ministry of Foreign Affairs ambassador-at-large who scheduled an interview with “Al-Jazeera”, called them and granted such confirmation,” — Mr.Kisilevsky wrote.
The State Border Guards, however, rejected their application anyway, pleading that there has been lack of confirmation for the purpose of their visit. On the same day, February 16, the filming group had to return to Moscow.
Oleh Kisilevsky assumed that the main reason for that was Russian citizenship of the journalists. “Still, we have to distinguish Russian citizens working for Russian Media propaganda and those who work with the foreign Media,” — he said. In his opinion, Ukraine has to apologize to the journalists and invite them to come over.
It is known that the “Al-Jazeera” filming group came to Ukraine consisting of Director of Moscow Bureau of “Al Jazeera Media Network” (the channel doesn’t have a separate correspondent station in Ukraine) Zaur Sheozh, producer Hennady Konolyov and cameraman Ekbal Balag. While in Ukraine, the group should be escorted by Mr.Safwan Jolak, Editor-in-Chief at UkrPress.net.
“I sometimes help “Al-Jazeera” as volunteer,” — Oleh Kisilevsky said. “When I worker with Presidential Administration, I saw that we had poor ties with the Muslim countries, so I managed to connect with “Al-Jazeera” journalists. After that, their coverage of Ukraine increased.”
Mr.Kisilevsky noted that “Al-Jazeera” has always been non-prejudicial in covering Ukrainian events. “There has never been any complaints on that. They worked in the ATO zone, interviewed Vladyslav Seleznyov, for instance. Journalists of Moscow correspondent stations came to Ukraine on August 24 in order to cover the celebration of the Independence Day. Their works could be plainly aired on our First National Channel because of their non-prejudicial attitude.”
According to him, this time the team was to film the anniversary of tragic events at Maidan, and had scheduled interviews with MP Mr.Ihor Lutsenko (kidnapped during Euromaidan), with ms.Natalya Boykova, the widow of late Vladimir Boykov who perished at Maidan, and with Mr.Dmytro Kuleba, Ministry of Foreign Affairs ambassador-at-large. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs knew well about their work and never objected,” — Oleh Kisilevsky said.
