Government’s Broadening Definition of ‘Foreign Agent’ Raises Concerns
On Tuesday, the Russian Ministry of Justice expanded its list of foreign agents to include a prominent clergyman, a musician, and a covert operative. This move is part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia, and it has raised concerns about the government’s increasingly broad definition of foreign agent.
The newly labeled foreign agents are:
- Archpriest Andrey Tkachev, a prominent Orthodox Christian clergyman known for his conservative views.
- Ilya Yashin, a musician and opposition politician who has been critical of the government.
- Alexei Stolyarov, a former covert operative who has been accused of working for the CIA.
Government’s Expanding Definition of ‘Foreign Agent’
The Russian government has been using the term foreign agent to label NGOs and individuals who receive funding from abroad. However, in recent months, the government has expanded its definition of foreign agent to include anyone who receives any kind of support from a foreign source, including political or financial support.
This broadening definition has raised concerns that the government is using the foreign agent label to target its political opponents. In the case of Archpriest Tkachev, for example, the government has accused him of receiving financial support from the United States. However, Tkachev has denied these accusations, and he has said that he is being targeted because of his criticism of the government.
Crackdown on Dissent
The labeling of Archpriest Tkachev, Ilya Yashin, and Alexei Stolyarov as foreign agents is part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia. In recent months, the government has passed a number of laws that restrict freedom of speech and assembly. The government has also increased its pressure on NGOs and independent media outlets.
The crackdown on dissent is likely to continue in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election. President Vladimir Putin is expected to run for re-election, and he is likely to use the crackdown to consolidate his power and silence his critics.
Kind regards E. Thompson.
