Kremlin persecutes journalist for “failing to comply” with foreign agent law — akin to spying

Location: Russia

Date: March 17, 2024

Women Press Freedom condemns the ongoing persecution of Yevgenia Baltatarova by the Russian government. Baltatarova, a Russian journalist forced to live in exile, has endured relentless scrutiny and harassment for her reporting. She now faces new criminal charges after being subjected to raids on her home and charges in absentia for reporting on Russian war crimes in Mariupol and Bucha. The role of Roskomnadzor in this persecution further exemplifies the extent of state censorship and control over the media landscape in Russia. By acting as the gatekeeper for what constitutes acceptable discourse, it effectively stifles any form of criticism or independent reporting. We demand an immediate end to Russia’s harassment of anti-war Kremlin critics and journalists in exile who continue to be targeted with arrest warrants and baseless criminal charges.

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Roskomnadzor (RKN), the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, opened another criminal case against Buryat journalist Yevgenia Baltatarova on March 17. The body, which acts as the Russian federal executive body tasked with overseeing, regulating, and implementing censorship within the Russian mass media landscape, is charging the journalist with evading the duties of a "foreign agent."

Russia's "foreign agents" legislation, expanded in December 2022, casts a wide net over individuals and entities expressing dissenting views or engaging in civic activism. The term "foreign agent" in Russia carries negative connotations akin to "spy" or "traitor." Designation as a foreign agent is non-judicial, and there's no opportunity to challenge it before being listed. This label imposes stringent reporting requirements, financial audits, and restrictions on political activities, severely curtailing freedom of expression and association. Numerous journalists, non-profit organizations, and media outlets have been labeled “foreign agents.”

The Russian Ministry of Justice labeled Baltatarova a "foreign agent" in October 2022. She left Russia in March 2022 following a police raid of her apartment, viewing it as a prelude to potential criminal charges. 

After fleeing to Kazakhstan, two criminal cases were opened against Baltatarova for allegedly spreading misinformation and propaganda against the Russian army. These charges stem from her posts on her Telegram channel, "Baba Yaga against," which covered events in Mariupol and Bucha in Ukraine. 

In June 2022, Baltatarova was briefly detained at Almaty International Airport in Kazakhstan and prevented from leaving the country due to the international arrest warrant issued by Russia. Since then, she has managed to flee to Europe and currently lives in exile in France.

Baltatarova was fined 30,000 rubles in September 2023 for failing to mark her work as that of a "foreign agent."

The Kremlin's crackdown on dissent knows no borders, as evidenced by its continued pursuit of exiled journalists critical of its actions. Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Russian government has intensified efforts to silence voices abroad, employing tactics such as charging journalists in absentia, adding them to wanted lists, targeting their families in Russia, surveillance, and even suspected assassination attempts. 

Women Press Freedom unequivocally condemns the relentless persecution and judicial harassment of Yevgenia Baltatarova by the Russian authorities. This most recent chapter in the Kremlin's systematic campaign against free press and dissent underlines the perilous conditions under which journalists, particularly women journalists, operate within and outside of Russia's borders. The ongoing persecution of exiled journalists like Yevgenia Baltatarova highlights the Russian government's determination to suppress dissenting voices, regardless of their location. The designation of “foreign agent,” coupled with the expansive reach of Roskomnadzor (RKN), Russia's federal executive body in charge of media oversight, creates an environment of fear and censorship. The international community must condemn such actions and stand in solidarity with journalists who continue to risk their safety and freedom to report.

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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