On November 8, the court will review the protocol concerning world chess champion Garry Kasparov for failing to specify the status of a foreign representative. Kasparov faces a potential fine ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 rubles.
In the same register, former co-owner and president of YUKOS, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, and Kasparov are listed among individuals identified as acting in the capacity of foreign representatives. The document identifies sources of foreign funding, including entities tied to Ukraine for Khodorkovsky and Kasparov, as well as the American Civil Rights Foundation.
Earlier in the year, Russia established a registry of individuals performing functions for foreign entities. The first names to appear in this list were journalists Evgeny Kiselyov and Matvey Ganapolsky, both noted for their involvement with activities tied to foreign funding and influence. The registry is used to track those who exercise duties on behalf of foreign entities when they fail to submit the legally required notification.
Under current Russian law, if a person who performs the duties of a foreign representative does not submit the mandated notification, the Ministry of Justice adds that individual to the official list. The law specifically covers individuals who operate as foreign representatives and does not depend on the person’s formal title.
There have also been discussions in the State Duma about restricting loans to foreign agencies, reflecting ongoing policy debates surrounding foreign influence and funding transparency.