Russia's Justice Ministry added a Moscow-based think tank that specializes in nuclear arms research to its controversial list of "foreign agents" on Wednesday.
The designation means that the PIR Center, founded in 1994, has been found to receive funding from abroad and to conduct political activities, thus meeting two criteria that require registration as a "foreign agent" in accordance with the 2012 law.
The law obliges non-governmental organizations that fall under these two categories to label themselves as "foreign agents," a term that critics say has negative connotations of espionage and deters potential partners from cooperation.
Critics have accused the Kremlin of using the law to crack down on society and suppress opposition. Other organizations on the list of "foreign agents" include the independent elections watchdog Golos and human rights group Memorial.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
