NatWest ‘freezes Russian channel’s UK bank accounts’

NatWest bank has frozen the accounts of Russia’s state-run broadcaster RT. RT informs that the bank has given no explanation for its decision.

It further added that the entire Royal Bank of Scotland Group, of which NatWest is a part, was refusing to service RT, which is run by Kremlin.

The bank said its decision is final and it is not ready to enter into any discussion further. A letter posted online by the channel shows that the freeze is not yet in effect. It notifies that banking facilities will be closed on 12^th December.

RT has previously been accused by UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom for biased reporting, claiming that the BBC staged a chemical weapons attack for a news report on Syria.

The BBC won a case against the TV channel after complaining to Ofcom, saying the allegations made in a program called The Truthseeker were false and struck.