Story By:  Gheorghi Caraseni, Sub Editor:  Joseph Golder,  Agency: Central European News

Five US citizens have been fined in Russia for filming for the Discovery Channel “as correspondents for foreign media” after reportedly lying about the purpose of their visit.

The bizarre incident took place in the city of Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai, south-eastern Russia.

Local media report the unnamed US citizens were fined for violating the rules of entry into the country. They were detained by police migration officers.

According to the Frunzensky Court’s press service: “Five US citizens were fined 2,000 RUB (24.6 GBP) each for indicating an incorrect purpose of visit – business. In fact, they did not conduct trade and economic activities, but were shooting videos for the Discovery Channel as correspondents for foreign media.”

The five were reportedly fined without expulsion from Russia. They reportedly argued that they were not shooting any material which could be considered political.

When Central European News (CEN) contacted the US Consulate General in Vladivostok, they said: “This case is currently under investigation. No names or any other personal data of our citizens can be provided.”

Three US military attaches were detained in Russia in October for “entering a restricted zone without prior permission”.

William Whitsitt Curtis, Jerry Arriol Anthony and D.S. Danna were removed from the Nenoksa-Severodvinsk train at the Severodvinsk railway station and arrested. It is unclear how long they were held.

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