On 15 November 2024, the Russian Ministry of Justice designated journalist Magomed Toriyev as a “foreign agent”, Russian media reported. Authorities accused the journalist and the outlet of “disseminating fake news” about the Russian government and its decisions, distributing content created by other “foreign agents”, and opposing Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Toriyev is known as a human rights activist and journalist who focused in his articles on human rights abuses in Russia’s Caucasus region. He previously published for U.S. Congress-funded news outlet Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
Initially adopted in 2012, Russia’s law on foreign agents has been revised several times over the past decade to include an ever-wider range of potential targets for state-sponsored discrimination. Currently, any organization, media or private individual can be designated as such simply by being declared to be “under foreign influence” by the Russian Ministry of Justice or because of receiving funds of any amount from abroad (or from an entity itself receiving foreign funds). “Foreign agents” are also barred from receiving state financing, teaching at state universities, working with minors and providing expertise on environmental issues, among other restrictions.
UPDATE: On 13 February 2025, Russian independent media reported that Toriev had been placed on Russia’s ‘wanted’ list.