The European Court of Justice (ECJ), rejected a request by Russian news network RT France to lift a broadcasting ban imposed by the European Union (EU) on Russia over Russia-Ukraine conflict.
āThe EU General Court dismisses Russia Today Franceās application for annulment of the EU Councilās acts,āā the ECJ said on Twitter on Wednesday.
Following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Feb. 24, 2022, the EU Council adopted several sets of sanctions against Russia.
These sanctions include broadcasting bans in the EU targeting Russian media that the EU considers disinformation, including RT France.
These bans were effective since March 2, and RT France went to court to contest them on March 8.
However, RT France asked for the annulment of the Councilās sanctions, arguing that the decision goes against freedom of speech and information, the right to defend oneself, freedom of entrepreneurship, and the principle of non-discrimination based on oneās nationality.
Meanwhile, the ECJ ruled against RT France, saying that the ban was a āproportionateāā measure, and ānecessary to the aims pursued.āā
It also ruled that RT Franceās freedom of entrepreneurship is not harmed, as the measures were temporary and reversible.
āThis prohibition shows that the judiciary of the EU cannot or does not want to oppose political power.
āEuropean politicians have chosen a path against the values on which Europe was based, such as freedom of expression and diversity of opinion,āā tweeted Xenia Fedorova, president of RT France.(NAN)