"I have no concerns about the activities of Turkish journalists [in Russia]. I am convinced that Turkish journalists working [in Russia] here respect the Russian people, state, government and values of the Russian people. I am sure that the Russian authorities are taking it into account," the ambassador said at a press conference, answering a question whether the Turkish Embassy in Moscow fears of measures against Turkish media in Russia in response to the Sputnik website ban.
Last week, the chief editor of Sputnik’s Turkish bureau, Tural Kerimov, was denied entry to Turkey, stripped of his accreditation and residence permit in the country.
The international community, including the European Union, Russia, the United States and the United Nations have repeatedly criticized Ankara's ongoing crackdown on journalists and tight press restrictions.
