Minister Philippe Baptiste condemned the expulsion of a French scientist from the US and stressed the importance of freedom of opinion and academic freedom.
The French Research Minister pointed out on Thursday that the French scientist was rejected this month’s accession to the US. After arriving at the airport, an immigration official searched the phone and found reports in which the scientist criticized the Trump administration. TASR reports this according to the British daily Guardian.
“I learned about concern that the French researcher ‘who traveled to the conference near Houston was denied access to the United States and subsequently was expelled,” said Minister Philippe Baptiste. “This measure was apparently taken by the US authorities because scientists have found news with his colleagues and friends in which he expressed his personal opinion on the Trump’s research administration policy,” the minister said.
According to the AFP diplomatic source, the incident took place on March 9. Another source of the agency said the US authorities have accused a French scientist of spreading “hateful and conspiracy reports”. He was also reportedly informed about the launch of the investigation of the Federal Investigation Office (FBI), but told him that “charges were withdrawn” before expulsion.
“Freedom of opinion, free research and academic freedom are values that we will continue to proudly enforce. I will defend the right of all French researchers,” he said in a reaction of Baptiste.
