The Moscow Zamoskvoretsky Court has declined to revoke the designation of Ilya Varlamov as a foreign agent, a status he already holds in the Russian Federation. This outcome was reported by TASS. The court also rejected the blogger’s lawsuit against the Ministry of Justice, leaving the existing legal label in place.
Varlamov was formally recognized as a foreign agent on March 23. The Ministry of Justice stated that he circulated publications from organizations listed as foreign agents. Among these are Dozhd, a television channel that appears on the ministry’s foreign agents list, and Sergei Smirnov, the editor-in-chief of Mediazona, who is likewise registered as a foreign agent by the ministry. The ministry’s assessment also notes that Smirnov and Varlamov have drawn support from foreign sources, and officials cited evidence suggesting that Varlamov disseminated materials that could be viewed as promoting foreign influence. These findings were cited during the proceedings and form the basis for maintaining the foreign agent status in this case.
On May 15, new developments emerged as Slepakov and Varlamov filed a joint lawsuit seeking the abolition of the foreign agent designation. In addition, performers Zemfira and Maxim Galkin, both recognized as foreign agents in Russia, joined the effort by requesting the removal of their respective foreign agent statuses. The legal actions reflect ongoing tensions surrounding the foreign agent framework in Russia and the way it is applied to media figures, artists, and public commentators. The cases have drawn attention from observers concerned about the impact of such designations on freedom of expression and media independence, while authorities argue the measures are necessary to ensure transparency about sources of foreign influence and funding. The proceedings illustrate the broader legal landscape in which individuals under scrutiny for foreign connections navigate court scrutiny, administrative decisions, and potential appeals. The situation continues to unfold as the parties pursue further legal avenues to challenge or confirm the foreign agent designations.
Source attribution: The reporting draws upon official statements and court filings as summarized by TASS and corroborating coverage from related authorities. The information reflects ongoing legal processes and is contingent on formal court rulings and government briefings available through official channels.