Ministry of Justice Designates Economist Movchan and Actress Mysa as Foreign Agents
In a significant move, the Russian Ministry of Justice has added several high-profile individuals and organizations to the country's foreign agent registry. The latest additions, announced on April 2023, include Andrei Mochan (Movchan), Oksana Mysina, Pavel Kanigin, Mikhail Doliayev, and Andrei Sivenok [1].
Andrei Mochan, an economist, Mikhail Doliayev, a political scientist, and Oksana Mysina, an actress, have publicly opposed Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and are alleged to have spread false information regarding Russia’s electoral system and government policies. Mochan, Doliayev, and Mysina live abroad [1].
Oksana Mysina has also been accused of cooperating with foreign and international organizations considered undesirable in Russia and disseminating false information aimed at undermining the image of the Russian Armed Forces. She is a co-founder of a foreign legal entity [1].
Andrei Sivenok, a blogger, was added because of his interactions with foreign agents [1]. The project "To be Continued," which promotes LGBT issues, was indicated to have a founder already listed as a foreign agent, further adding to the registration rationale [1].
Being designated a foreign agent in Russia entails harsh restrictions, including stigmatization, financial reporting burdens, bans on receiving state funding, and limits on professional activity. This designation is part of broader Kremlin policies aimed at controlling dissent, countering opposition voices, and tightening information environments [1][3].
On July 18, the Ministry of Justice added 1045 new names to the foreign agent registry, including Maria Mayer (real name Felicita Olshevets), Ksenia Kirillova, Vasily Jarov, Dmitry Khramtsov, Ksenia Torstrem, Natalia Reznik, and blogger Dmitry Velikiy [1]. Activatica, a portal dedicated to civil activism, was also added to the registry on the same day [1].
The updated list of foreign agents can be found on the Ministry of Justice's website. Lawmakers have also approved the acceleration of criminal cases against foreign agents [1]. The foreign agent registry, as of the latest update, includes 1045 names and organization names [1].
The Ministry of Justice alleges that the disinformation spread by Mochan, Mysina, and the "To Be Continued" project is aimed at forming a negative image of the Russian army [1]. The details of these events can be found on rbc.group.
Sources: [1] https://www.rbc.group/ [2] https://www.bbc.com/ [3] https://www.theguardian.com/
- Oksana Mysina, along with Andrei Mochan and Mikhail Doliayev, are among the individuals added to the foreign agent registry due to their reported opposition to Russia's military actions in Ukraine and alleged dissemination of false information about the country's electoral system and government policies.
- The project "To be Continued," which promotes LGBT issues, and Activatica, a portal dedicated to civil activism, have been added to the foreign agent registry, as their founders are already listed as foreign agents and their activities are considered part of broader Kremlin policies aimed at controlling dissent and tightening information environments.
