The Russian Ministry of Justice has declared four journalists, including the presenter of “Nastyosha Vremya” Romaliyskaya, as “foreign agents”

On January 17, the Russian Ministry of Justice declared the journalist and presenter of “Nastoyaschego Vremya” (a project of Radio Liberty with the participation of “Voice of America”) Irina Romaliyskaya a “foreign agent”.

«I don't care at all what lists the Russian Federation puts me on. It only means that the channel «Nastoyaschee Vremya» is working great, that our team is doing a good job. Which is what we will continue to do, regardless of any lists and statuses», – quotes Romaliyskaya «Nastoyaschee Vremya».

Also included in the list is a journalist from «Voice of America» Ksenia Turkova (she is listed under the surname Kiriya on the Ministry of Justice list), journalists Andriy Kozenko, Anton Rubin, Anastasia Lotareva, and a research associate at the Berlin Carnegie Center, Oleksandra Prokopenko.

In addition, the Ministry of Justice has added to its register the project «Idite lesom» – a volunteer initiative that helps Russians avoid being sent to war in Ukraine, and in the event of such a sending – to desert from the army. The founder of the project, Grigory Sverdlin, already has the status of a «foreign agent», last year he was declared wanted by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, writes the Russian service of Radio Liberty.

The Russian authorities can declare a foreign agent anyone who is under «foreign influence», the definition of which is spelled out very vaguely in the law.

The status of a «foreign agent» obliges, among other things, to report on the movement of funds in personal accounts every quarter and to mark all public messages. Errors in the report or lack of marking are punishable by imprisonment.

Since the end of 2022, «foreign agents» are prohibited from teaching in state institutions, organizing public events, serving in the army under contract, and being members of election commissions and observers.