Russia Detains BBG's Shell

Russia denied entry to U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors Chairman Jeff Shell, the board said in a news release Wednesday. Shell arrived at Moscow’s Sheremetevo Airport late Tuesday on a flight from Prague, but Russian security officials detained him for several hours in a locked room, then escorted him to a flight to Amsterdam, BBG said. Shell possessed a valid passport and Russian visa; the security officials gave no explanation but told Shell it was a lifetime ban, BBG said. BBG officials met Wednesday with U.S. Ambassador John Tefft in Moscow to discuss the matter, the board said. Shell, also chairman of NBCUniversal’s Filmed Entertainment Division, was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the board that oversees all U.S. international media.