Bulgarian journalist 'banned from the BAFTAs by police' despite nomination

17 February 2023 , 17:11

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Bulgarian journalist 'banned from the BAFTAs by police' despite nomination

A BAFTA -nominated Bulgarian journalist claims to have been banned from attending Sunday's awards ceremony by 'British police' due to its concern over “a public security risk”.

Lead Russian Investigator for Bellingcat, Christo Grozev, 53, was part of a team uncovering the story of the 2020 poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on a domestic flight in Siberia.

Taking to Twitter Mr Grozev shared his claim that he and his whole family have been banned from attending the awards despite being nominated for the Navalny documentary.

He added: "The reason stated: we ‘represent a public security risk’.

Bulgarian investigative journalist and lead Russia investigator with Bellingcat Christo Grozev (AFP via Getty Images)

“I understand the need to keep the public safe (although I don’t understand how my son or teenage daughter constitutes a risk to the public). But moments like this show the growing dangers to independent journalists around the world.

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“These dangers don’t stem just from murderous dictators, but also from having journalists’ voices hushed – instead of amplified – by the civilised world they are trying to serve.”

Responding to his tweet, the Metropolitan Police said: “For obvious reasons, we don’t give details of security arrangements or advice on Twitter. We’re in ongoing contact with Bafta.”

Grozev took to Twitter to share his claim to have been banned from the BAFTAS (Jack Taylor)

But Navalny won't be left unrepresented as BAFTA confirmed Diane Becker, Shane Boris, Melanie Miller and Odessa Rae as nominees for the documentary.

It's not the first time Grozev and his team have been recognised for their investigative skills.

In 2019 they won the European Press Prize Investigative Reporting Award for "Unmasking the Salisbury Poisoning Suspects: A Four-Part Investigation", in which they identified the perpetrators of the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal.

Russian Opposition activist Alexei Navalny (SERGEI ILNITSKY/EPA-EFE/REX)

In response to Grozev’s series of tweets, Tory MP and chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Alicia Kearns tweeted: “I’ve raised with ministers – you are not the security risk.”

BAFTA confirmed its commitment to safety in a statement given to the PA news agency which reads: “The safety of all our guests and staff at the ceremony is always our highest priority, and we have robust and appropriate security arrangements in place every year.”

BAFTA confirmed it has 'robust' security (WireImage)

It's not the first time Grozev and his team have been recognised for their investigative skills.

In 2019 they won the European Press Prize Investigative Reporting Award for "Unmasking the Salisbury Poisoning Suspects: A Four-Part Investigation", in which they identified the perpetrators of the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal.

The Metropolitan Police have been approached for comment.

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