Russia: Exiled Journalist Elizaveta Surnacheva Facing Charges for Non-Compliance with “Foreign Agent” Law
WPF condemns Kremlin's ongoing efforts to target journalists through legislation designed to suppress dissent
Location: Russia, Moscow
Date: July 26, 2024
Elizaveta Surnacheva is now facing a second prosecution for failing to comply with the reporting requirements imposed on those labeled as “foreign agents.” Women Press Freedom condemns this harassment of Surnacheva and other exiled journalists who report critically on Moscow and its actions. The "foreign agent" law imposes onerous reporting obligations on journalists, serving as a tool of state control designed to undermine press freedom and inflict personal and professional stress on journalists like Surnacheva. This year, Russia has intensified prosecutions against journalists designated as foreign agents, with a particular focus on those in exile. Women Press Freedom has documented 12 legal cases against exiled women journalists on the “foreign agent” register in 2024 alone. We call for an end to the Kremlin’s harsh crackdown on independent journalists both at home and abroad and the revocation of the "foreign agent" law. Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Surnacheva and all journalists unjustly persecuted by Russian authorities.
On July 26, 2024, a Moscow court opened cases against journalists Elizaveta Surnacheva and Oleg Yelanchik, political scientist Sergei Medvedev, and blogger Dmitry Ivanov for failing to submit the required reports for those labeled “foreign agents.”
This is Surnacheva’s second prosecution. On October 21, 2023, she was first charged for not providing the regular financial and activity reports required of those designated as “foreign agents.” She was added to Russia’s foreign agent registry in 2021 while working as a journalist for Current Time TV.
Originally from Moscow, Surnacheva moved to Kyiv in March 2020, then to Georgia, and finally to Riga, Latvia. Even after moving abroad, the journalist continued to label her social media posts with the foreign agent disclaimer — a stipulation required by those listed. Surnacheva abided by the rules to maintain the possibility of visiting her parents in Russia. This changed after Russian troops entered Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and Putin intensified his crackdown, Surnacheva decided she could no longer comply.
“I made the decision that I’ll no longer follow any of these ‘foreign agent’ rules. It is clear to me that I will not go to Russia in the coming years,” Surnacheva told Reuters in 2022.
Since its introduction in 2012, the Russian "foreign agents" law has expanded to include individuals, media outlets, and NGOs, imposing severe bureaucratic and legal burdens. Those on the register face extensive reporting requirements, financial costs, and a loss of privacy, often leading them to alter their professional activities or leave Russia. The law is part of the Kremlin’s broader strategy to suppress dissent by creating a climate of fear and self-censorship, especially since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It not only stigmatizes individuals but also allows the state to control and monitor perceived threats under the guise of protecting national interests.
Russia has increased its persecution of journalists labeled as “foreign agents.” Since early July, Women Press Freedom has documented seven new administrative cases against women journalists for alleged infractions of the “foreign agent” law.
The ongoing harassment of Elizaveta Surnacheva and other journalists under the “foreign agent” law reflects a broader crackdown on press freedom and dissent in Russia. Women Press Freedom vehemently denounces the targeting of journalists under the legislation which aims to punish and intimidate those who criticize the Kremlin. We demand the abolition of the "foreign agent" law and seek the dismissal of all related charges. We urge the international community to act decisively to support exiled journalists who continue to face legal persecution from Russian authorities.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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