The State Duma voted “in favor of” tightening legislation against ”foreign agents” - these are three laws aimed at complicating the life and work of ”foreign agents” in Russia. Such a status will be given to anyone who cooperates with certain international organizations and helps in collecting information in the field of military-technical activity. In addition, for crimes related to ”national security”, stricter penalties with imprisonment are provided.
Currently, the register of ”foreign agents” in Russia includes 964 positions - 558 individuals and 406 organizations. Among them are quite a few artists, scientists, journalists and politicians. Some of them never left Russia.
Who can be included in the updated list of "foreign agents"?
With the new laws, the concept of "foreign agent" is being expanded - anyone who works or cooperates with international organizations in which Russia does not participate, or with foreign state bodies, if their actions are assessed as a threat to the country's security, can be declared such. In addition, people who are involved in the collection and dissemination of information from the military-technical field in Russia will also begin to be recognized as "foreign agents".
At the same time, penalties are also increasing - for example, for calls for the introduction of sanctions against Russia: up to five years in prison and a fine of three million rubles (about 32,000 euros). In addition, the possibility of confiscating the property of "foreign agents" obtained "for selfish motives", of those convicted of "discrediting the Russian army", etc. is introduced.
Journalists, politicians, artists...
The formulations defining the status of "foreign agents" in Russia remain vague. Initially, according to the law adopted in 2012, such status was given to organizations receiving funding or other support from abroad. Over time, the scope expanded - they began to include media outlets, politicians, human rights activists and journalists in the list. After the start of the war against Ukraine, representatives of various social strata - including the representatives of the Dalai Lama in Russia - were included in the register.
The list of "foreign agents" 20 musicians, 15 writers, 14 entrepreneurs, seven directors and seven clergymen can be found, there are also former representatives of the security forces, as well as former diplomats. The wording for some of them is quite abstract: "they are under foreign influence". Many have fled the country, fearing further persecution.
What is forbidden to "foreign agents"?
Inclusion in the register of "foreign agents" imposes a number of restrictions and obligations. For example, at each public appearance, the person concerned must necessarily indicate that he is classified as a "foreign agent" - this applies to both musicians and writers. Advertisers are also prohibited from interacting in any way with "foreign agents".
In addition, they must regularly report their income - three times a year, they are prohibited from running for office, working in schools and higher education institutions, receiving state financial support, creating content for minors, serving in the army, etc.
A blow to social contacts and sources of income
The Kaluga bishop of the "Word of Life" churches, Albert Ratkin, has decided to stay in Russia, although he has been designated a "foreign agent". He told DW that mandatory reporting does not make it difficult for him, because he does not receive foreign funding. But due to the restrictions of the authorities, he has lost his additional source of income - renting out property. Ratkin is trying to protest his status in court, but so far without success.
In addition, the status of a “foreign agent” has affected his social contacts, particularly in religious circles. “People began to fear me, they shunned me as an enemy of the people.” The Protestant priest is convinced that the legislation is aimed at “pushing out the unwanted”. “We see how many people have left - we are the only ones left. And how could I abandon the people? Someone must remain to remind them of their conscience, their reason, their heart.”
Rzhevsk City Council member Ekaterina Dontsova, for her part, points out that the label "foreign agent" effectively constitutes a ban on practicing the profession for politicians like her. In Dontsova's case, it is most likely that the authorities have begun to fear her growing protest popularity. Despite the restrictions, she does not think about emigrating: "I love my country, beyond dependence on the authorities and the laws it adopts. To leave means to lose yourself."
Author: Alexey Strelnikov