DISINFO: Berlin refused to answer on why RT’s bank accounts were closed
SUMMARY
The German government refused to answer the question of why COMMERZBANK has closed down the accounts of RT and Ruptly news agencies in Germany.
RESPONSE
Disinformation message regarding RT (formerly Russia Today), the Russian state-owned international network, painting the German government as a hostile body leaning toward censorship.
The German government did not refuse to answer the question but has in fact directly addressed this issue by denying any involvement in what is a private commercial matter: the closure of the RT accounts. At the same time it has rejected the threat and claims coming from Moscow accusing Germany of restricting press freedoms.
In the beginning of March 2021, the German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christofer Burger said:
This is not the first time that the Russian government has tried to hold us responsible for a private-law business relationship between RT and its banks”, adding “On behalf of the Federal Government, I can once again state quite clearly that the Federal Government has in no way lobbied Commerzbank to end the business relationship.
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