Statement by Calvert 22 Foundation on the deportation of Arthur House

Calvert 22 Foundation wishes to make the following public statement:

On 21 April, Arthur House, deputy editor of The Calvert Journal, was detained while on a five-day business trip to Russia.

Arthur and Igor Zinatulin, head of strategy at Calvert 22 Foundation, were delivering a journalism workshop in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod, helping local journalists and creative professionals develop their digital storytelling skills. Following the workshop, Arthur was detained for 12 hours and tried on charges of working with an incorrect visa and failing to carry the right medical insurance documents.

Despite presenting at his trial a valid Russian multiple entry business visa and an international travel insurance certificate, Arthur was found guilty on both counts and banned from Russia for five years. Calvert 22 Foundation strongly disputes this judgement and is appealing against Arthur’s sentence.

Calvert 22 Foundation works to support and share the culture and creativity of eastern Europe and Russia and we are wholly supportive of the efforts of all of our team in these endeavours. Due to our pending appeal against this sentence we cannot issue any further comment at this time.