On May 26, the Russian Ministry of Justice listed Yegor Bortnik*, leader of the rock band Bi-2, known as Lyova Bi-2, in the register of foreign agents. This derives from the information hosted on the department’s website.
In addition to him, the list also included:
sinologist, director of the Carnegie Berlin Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies Alexander Gabuev*; Popular Politics host Irina Alleman*; the economist Vladislav Inozemtsev*; ex-director of Novosibirsk Novokolledzh Sergei Chernyshov*; the anthropologist and folklorist Alexandra Arkhipova*; lawyer Anna Pshenichnaya*; head of the Council of Mothers and Wives Olga Tsukanova*; former United Russia State Duma deputy Magomed Gadzhiev*; “People’s Union for the Revival of Russia”*; “Council of mothers and wives”*.
The previous time, the Ministry of Justice updated the list of foreign agents on May 5. Then the associates of the opponent Alexei Navalny Maria Pevchikh* and Georgy Alburov*, the animator of popular politics Yan Matveev*, the politician Alexander Osovtsov*, the political scientist Ivan Preobrazhensky*, the opera singer Maria Maksakova -Igenbergs*, political scientist Vladimir Pastukhov*, human rights activist Elena Agafonov*, social movement “Soft Power”*, public organization “St. Petersburg Russian PEN Club”*, Crisis Group SK SOS * and the publication Taiga.info*.
Foreign Agents Act and its amendments
The concept of “foreign agent” was introduced into Russian law after the 2012 protests, in relation to non-profit organizations (NPOs) engaged in political activities and receiving foreign funding.
Subsequently, this status began to be granted to natural persons, legal persons and unregistered organizations. In 2022, the law was strengthened, prohibiting citizens and registered organizations from teaching and producing information products, organizing public events, and joining election commissions. In addition, the criteria for recognition as a foreign agent have changed – the opinion of the Ministry of Justice on “foreign influence” has become sufficient for this.
From the end of 2022, instead of four different lists of foreign agents, the Ministry of Justice maintains a single register, which already includes more than 550 people and organizations.
In mid-April 2023, the State Duma Committee for Investigating Foreign Interference prepared tougher amendments to the Law on Foreign Agents. They aim to “close gaps and gaps for people under foreign influence”, said Vasily Piskarev, head of the commission investigating foreign interference.
Foreign agents are now prohibited from working in government bodies, being a member of an election commission, participating in election campaigns, donating money to the election funds of election candidates and parties, appointing candidates for Public Monitoring Commissions (PMC), to carry out anti-corruption activities the expertise of bills, the dissemination of information to children, the conduct of educational activities with children, the work of teachers , organization of public events, participation in public procurement, receipt of money from the budget, including for creativity, use of a simplified tax system and investment in strategic enterprises in Russia.
If the amendments are adopted, foreign agents will also not be able to receive financial or real estate support from the state. In addition, the Ministry of Justice will have the right to control not only the activities of foreign agents, but also the observance of the law concerning them, that is, to issue a warning if “someone, by his actions or inaction, contributes to the violation of Russian law by a foreign agent”. The offense must be eliminated within one month, otherwise the amendments provide for fines:
up to 50 thousand rubles – for citizens; up to 100,000 – for civil servants; up to 300 thousand rubles – for legal entities.
According to the law, individuals and organizations that have received support or are “under foreign influence in other forms” and are engaged in political activities, collect information about Russia’s military activities, or distribute, prepare and finance equipment may be recognized as foreign agents.
Foreign influence is considered to be the receipt of money and “other property” from a foreign source, as well as the provision of organizational, methodological, scientific, technical or “other” assistance. According to the law, influence is also considered to be “producing influence by coercion, persuasion or other means”.
- The Ministry of Justice of Russia has registered in the register of foreign agents
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