France freezes assets of Russian propagandist Xenia Fedorova for six months

France has frozen the assets of Russian propagandist Xenia Fedorova for six months and ordered her expulsion, placing the 45-year-old under house arrest. Fedorova, who works for billionaire Vincent Bolloré's media empire, is accused of relaying Kremlin propaganda. While Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez defended the move as protecting national interests, Fedorova denounced it as political censorship, and her lawyer plans to appeal.

Fedorova asset freeze order

• ▪The asset freeze decree against Xenia Fedorova was published on Friday, July 31, 2026, citing a legal mechanism aimed at preventing acts of interference.
• ▪France announced on Friday, July 31, 2026, that it was freezing the assets of Russian propagandist Xenia Fedorova for six months.

Expulsion from France

• ▪Xenia Fedorova's lawyer, Emmanuel Piwnica, stated that Xenia Fedorova will file an appeal against the French government's orders.
• ▪Following her expulsion order, 45-year-old Xenia Fedorova was placed under house arrest and required to report daily to a police station.
• ▪The French interior ministry ordered Xenia Fedorova on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, to leave France following accusations of relaying Kremlin propaganda.

Kremlin propaganda allegations

• ▪Xenia Fedorova is accused of acting as the Kremlin's voice in French media and relaying Russian propaganda.
• ▪Xenia Fedorova works for the media empire of conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré.
• ▪Xenia Fedorova denounced the actions against her on Friday, July 31, 2026, as censorship and political pressure aimed at silencing non-conforming opinions.

National security justification

• ▪French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated on Thursday, July 30, 2026, that individuals who espouse theories similar to those promoted by Xenia Fedorova will continue to disseminate them in France.
• ▪French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated on Thursday, July 30, 2026, that the expulsion order against Xenia Fedorova addresses an attack on the fundamental interests of the nation rather than infringing on freedom of expression.

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