The Ministry of Justice declared the former presenter of independent TV channel Dozhd, Maria Borzunova, a foreign agent due to transactions detected with two alleged foreign donors. The first transactions listed originated from the Moscow Times correspondent Evan Gershikovich, a close friend of Borzunova’s, amounting to 1290 rubles (€24). The authorities alleged that Gershikovich is an agent of the USA. More transactions originated from the former Dozhd producer Nadin Lahbabi in the sum of 10,270 rubles (€184) which Borzunova stated were due to workplace expenses on food. The Ministry of Justice claimed that Lahbabi was an agent of Belarus. Lastly, the authorities stated that Borzunova’s work at Dozhd, as well as her distribution of information created by Mediazona and Meduza, all recognized as foreign media organizations by the Russian government, were further evidence of her operating as a foreign agent. Dozhd was among the media outlets to be targeted by Russian authorities over its critical reporting about the invasion of Ukraine.
Russia-Ukraine WarCensorship and regulationPublication ban, take-down order or forced deletion, fine, administrative action