In a new move to suppress dissent, the Russian Ministry of Justice added several prominent journalists and entities to the controversial "foreign agents" registry on Friday.
The registry includes journalist Dmitry Treščanin from the independent Mediazone, Chechen opposition blogger Tumso Abdurahmanova and stand-up comedian Denis Alesin (known as Denis Chuzhoi), as well as the informative Govorit neMoskva, the Russian service of Radio Free Europe reported.
The "foreign agent" label, introduced by Russian authorities in 2012 and expanded in 2020, has been widely criticized for targeting independent journalists, activists and media outlets. That designation requires those on the list to register with the government, report their activities and disclose sources of funding.
Treščanin has long been known for his independent reporting on Russian politics, including the war in Ukraine. Before joining Mediazona, Treščanin worked for the independent television channels Dozhd and Current Time (a Russian-language media project run by RSE in cooperation with the Voice of America (VOA)), which were facing increasing pressure from the Russian government.
His reporting on sensitive issues, including corruption and human rights abuses, led to his constant harassment and threats.
Abdurahmanov, a prominent oppositionist and critic of the authoritarian leader of the Russian Caucasian region of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, attracted international attention with videos on YouTube in which he exposed human rights violations and corruption in Chechnya.
A native of Chechnya, Abdurahmanov fled the region in the mid-2010s after clashes with the Kadyrov family and eventually sought asylum in Sweden in 2021.
Due to his reporting on the authoritarian practices of Chechen officials, he became the target of harassment, including an assassination attempt in his apartment and in Sweden in 2020. Abdurahmanov managed to overpower his assailants, later identifying them as Russian citizens, although the perpetrators' direct ties to the Chechen leadership were not fully proven. .
Alesin is a popular Russian stand-up comedian, writer and blogger known for his participation in Russian comedy shows and his satirical YouTube projects. His comedy series, including People's Class and Uncertain Russia, have garnered millions of views.
Alesin became a public figure in Russia for his open opposition to the war in Ukraine, during which he wrote an open letter to President Vladimir Putin in 2022 condemning the invasion. After the letter, he received threats and eventually left Russia.
Govorit neMoskva, a portal focused on regional news from all over Russia, is an independent news source that is increasingly drawing the ire of the Russian authorities.
The inclusion of these individuals and organizations underscores the Kremlin's ongoing efforts to suppress critical voices and dissent, especially as it comes under increasing international scrutiny over its actions in Ukraine and repression.
Bonus video:
