The Ministry of Justice announced an increase in the amount of fines for foreign agents by 60 times

In 2022, foreign agents were fined 2.7 times more often than in 2021, while the amount of fines increased by 60 times. About it informs “Kommersant” with reference to the report of the Ministry of Justice, submitted to the State Duma.

At the end of last year, Roskomnadzor drew up 156 protocols against foreign agents, and in 2021 – only 58. The courts also fined 228.6 million rubles. against 3.8 million rubles. a year earlier. At the same time, the number of protocols regarding NGOs has decreased: in 2022, the Ministry of Justice drew up only two protocols against 24 in 2021. The newspaper notes that the decline was due to a moratorium on scheduled inspections of NGOs.

The number of persons included in the list of foreign agents also increased by 1.75 times. In 2022, the Ministry of Justice recognized 188 people as foreign agents, and in 2021 – only 108. Most of them were individuals and legal entities recognized by the media as foreign agents – 167 people against 94 in 2021.

The department explained that the increase in the number of foreign agents in the country is associated with an increase in the number of publications in the media that discredit Russia’s domestic and foreign policy in connection with the events in Ukraine. The report notes that the materials were also aimed at discrediting the Russian army and special operations, LGBT propaganda, undermining traditional values, and contained “unconstructive criticism of government officials.”

At the same time, the number of judicial appeals against the decisions of the Ministry of Justice on inclusion in the list of foreign agents has also increased. In 2022, 118 lawsuits were filed against the department demanding to remove the status, and in 2021 – 43. The report emphasizes that not a single lawsuit was satisfied.

In total, as of the end of 2022, the register contained information on 515 individuals and organizations, 347 of them were active. The Ministry of Justice also has a list of 861 individuals affiliated with foreign agents. Kommersant notes that this criterion is used mainly in the electoral legislation to mark “candidates affiliated with foreign agents.”

The status of a foreign agent appeared in Russian legislation in 2012. After that, the rules were repeatedly tightened. On December 1, 2022, the law “On Control over the Activities of Persons Under Foreign Influence” came into force in Russia. According to the document, a person who receives “support from abroad” or is “under foreign influence” can be recognized as a foreign agent.

Last year, the State Duma also raised fines for foreign agents. Lack of marking is now punishable by a fine of 10,000 to 30,000 rubles. (instead of 5000 rubles). For non-submission or untimely submission of information by a foreign agent to the Ministry of Justice, officials must pay a fine in the amount of 100,000 to 300,000 rubles. (previously up to 100,000 rubles), and a legal entity – from 300,000 to 500,000 rubles. (previously up to 300,000 rubles).

Foreign agents are required to label the materials they create. They are also prohibited from conducting educational activities among children, teaching at schools and universities, and working in the state or municipal service. In addition, the law limits the receipt of such citizens of state financial support, including creative activities.