As stated on the Ministry of Justice's website, Free Russia Foundation expert* Vasily Gatov opposed the war in Ukraine, spread 'false information' about the Russian authorities, and 'created a negative image' of the Russian army. Additionally, he collaborates with an organization already included in the 'foreign agents' registry.
The same claims are made by the agency against blogger Nikolay Levshits, founder of the largest Russian-language Telegram channel about Georgia (112,000 subscribers).
Former KGB and Russian Foreign Intelligence Service officer Sergey Zhirnov also, according to the Ministry of Justice, opposes the war in Ukraine, simultaneously creating a negative image of the Russian Armed Forces and spreading 'false information' about the Russian authorities. Furthermore, he resides outside of Russia, which the Ministry of Justice has long considered a sign of a 'foreign agent'.
The most claims by the agency are against the ex-municipal deputy from the Leningrad region Anton Klimov, in addition to the common anti-war stance and spreading 'false information' about the Russian authorities, he also 'discredited' the Russian electoral system.
The Abkhazian political scientist Inal Khashig also 'discredited' the electoral system and 'spread false information about the decisions made by the public authorities of the Russian Federation and their policies', as well as 'interacted with foreign political figures'.
The unified 'foreign agents' registry has been maintained since December 1, 2022, and includes individuals, registered and unregistered non-commercial and non-governmental organizations.
'Foreign agents' are required to publish texts and messages with a notification that they are produced by a 'foreign agent'. For evading the duties of a 'foreign agent', fines are imposed, and in case of repeated violations of the law, criminal liability ensues. By the end of 2024, 170 people received two fines each under the administrative article for violating the order of 'foreign agent' activities.
The State Duma passed a law prohibiting advertising with 'foreign agents', and 'foreign agents' themselves are banned from participating in elections. Also, all income of 'foreign agents' in Russia, including the sale and rental of real estate, will be deposited into a special ruble account, which can only be accessed after the 'foreign agent' status is removed.
* Recognized as an 'extremist' organization in Russia.