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July 17, 2025 – Russia/UK –
In a startling development on July 16‑17, 2025, British counterterrorism officers detained and interrogated Steve Sweeney, the head of RT’s Lebanon bureau, upon his arrival at Heathrow Airport. RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan reported that Sweeney was accused of “suspected terrorist activities.” Authorities confiscated his phone, laptop, and other devices, and subjected him to an intense interrogation focused on his work for Russia Today and alleged connections to foreign organizations.
During the questioning, which lasted approximately four hours, police asked whether RT’s management forced Sweeney to say things against his will and probed into whether he had ties to Hezbollah. They also questioned his loyalty, asking whether he felt connected to the UK and why he returned for a visit if uncomfortable in the country. After the interview, he was released and confirmed that he plans to continue his journalistic work despite the ordeal.
Sweeney, a seasoned war correspondent, said the experience made him feel unsafe in the UK and characterized the climate as increasingly hostile—not only in Britain but across Europe—to journalists associated with contentious outlets.
This incident follows broader trends of British authorities using counter‑terror legislation to detain journalists. Similar actions include the arrest of Richard Medhurst in August 2024, held nearly 24 hours under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, accused of expressing views supportive of proscribed organizations. Medhurst’s phone and equipment were seized, and he was prevented from contacting his family during detention. Investigative journalist Kit Klarenberg was also detained in 2023 at London’s Luton Airport for five hours under Schedule 3 of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Act, questioned about his reporting and political opinions, before release.
Rights groups and affected journalists warn that these actions represent an alarming trend: the UK increasingly defaulting to counterterror powers to detain reporters and confiscate devices—often without a clear explanation—undermining press freedoms and chilling dissent
Reference –
https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/278448681/rt-journalist-interrogated-by-uk-police
https://www.rt.com/news/621586-uk-police-interrogate-rt-journalist/
https://menafn.com/1109812655/Russian-reporter-interrogated-by-UK-law-enforcement
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