Russia lists two antiwar opposition parties as ‘foreign agents’
Russia’s Justice Ministry has added the unregistered opposition parties Mirnaya Rossiya and Rassvet to its ‘foreign agents’ register. Several journalists, activists and a media outlet were added to the list as well.
Russia’s Justice Ministry, which maintains the country’s register of so-called “foreign agents,” has added two unregistered opposition parties to it: Mirnaya Rossiya (“Peaceful Russia”) and Rassvet (“Dawn”). Both parties oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The designation brings extra restrictions and heightened state scrutiny in Russia.
Who founded the parties
Mirnaya Rossiya was founded in exile by opposition politician Ilya Yashin. Rassvet was founded in the city of Tver by journalist Yekaterina Duntsova, who earlier tried to run for president of Russia.
Others added to the register
The ministry also put the following on the list:
- feminist activist Leda Garina;
- commentator Boris Grozovsky;
- human rights activist Nikolai Rodkin;
- poet Galina Rymbu;
- journalist Murat Temirov;
- the media outlet Razoblacheno.
The ministry’s stated grounds
The ministry alleged that those newly listed had spread false information about the Russian government’s policies and had spoken out against the invasion of Ukraine. The source does not give further detail on these claims.
