Germany denies Russian art student a visa citing ‘security threat.’ Rights advocates call it a dangerous precedent.

The German Embassy in Moscow has denied a study visa to a graduate of the Design program at the Higher School of Economics (HSE) who had been accepted into a similar program at a German art university. Molnia, a human rights project for students, reported the refusal after reviewing the letter denying the visa.

In the letter, the embassy cited the risk that knowledge gained at the German university could be misused and pose a threat to Germany’s security and interests. “When weighing your personal interest in entering the country against the public interest in preventing a threat, it was determined that the public interest carries greater weight,” the embassy wrote in its response.

European universities could previously deny admission to students in technical fields over the risk of “knowledge being used for unintended purposes.” “This is the first time we have seen the phrase ‘security threat’ applied to a graduate of an arts program with no ties to government structures or military developments,” Molnia said.

Molnia called the case a dangerous precedent and promised to continue helping the student.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in early September that German authorities would tighten control over the entry of Russians in response to the sabotage at Leipzig Airport. He did not specify how the entry rules would change.