The well-known Russian activist Orlov has been classified by the judiciary as a “foreign agent” – a status that Moscow is using to put pressure on critics. Orlov is co-chair of the human rights organization Memorial.
The well-known Russian civil rights activist and human rights activist Oleg Orlov has been declared a “foreign agent” by the authorities. The Justice Ministry in Moscow justified its decision by saying that Orlov had “opposed the special military operation in Ukraine” and “disseminated false information about decisions made by public bodies of the Russian Federation.” The 70-year-old was also “involved in creating messages and materials for foreign agents.”
The Russian leadership is using the term “foreign agent” to brand opposition members and critics. Anyone who is listed as a “foreign agent” in Russia must expect numerous disadvantages. The organizations, media and individuals on the register are subject to increased supervision of their finances. The classification is intended to fuel mistrust against them and make their work in Russia more difficult.
Co-chair of Memorial
Orlov has been an employee of the non-governmental organization Memorial since the 1980s, which was originally founded to historically examine political tyranny – particularly the period of repression under dictator Josef Stalin. For years, Orlov led Memorial’s human rights department and is its co-chair. Memorial received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, but the organization was already banned in Russia.
Orlov was fined in late 2023 for his criticism of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine – which political observers described as lenient given the widespread practice of long prison sentences for war opponents. However, the process should be reopened again. Observers now see the classification as a “foreign agent” as the next level of escalation.