The Prague Municipal Court rejected Belarusian journalist Natalia Sudliankova’s appeal against her expulsion from the Czech Republic. The decision means that the Czech government’s expulsion order remains in force.
The court also examined Sudliankova’s appeal against her inclusion on the government’s sanctions list in April 2025. The ruling stated that the assessments were based on classified information.
According to the court’s assessment, Sudliankova received instructions and payment from an individual serving in Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU, and from another individual working at USM Holding, founded by sanctioned Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov.
Sudliankova was also accused of secretly working on behalf of various Russian organizations for the GRU, including the Foundation for Protecting and Supporting the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad and Russia’s Immortal Regiment movement.
Sudliankova, who had previously been granted asylum in the Czech Republic, was ordered to leave the country within 30 days. Her liaison officer, Alexei Shavrov, was also placed on the sanctions list and asked to leave the Czech Republic.
The Czech Security Information Service uncovered Sudliankova’s activities.