Moscow court fines director of anti-domestic violence group for violating ‘foreign agent’ law

Moscow’s Perovsky District Court has fined Anna Rivina, the director of the anti-domestic violence group “Nasiliu.net” (No to Violence), 150,000 rubles (more than $2,000) for violating Russia’s “foreign agent” law.

The international human rights group Agora told Meduza that Rivina was found guilty of violating Russian Administrative Code article 19.34, section 1 — cooperating in the activities of an unregistered “foreign agent” NGO.

Lawyer Kirill Koroteev from Agora, who is representing the interests of both Anna Rivina and Nasiliu.net, said that they plan to challenge the fine.

• In April, the Perovsky District Court fined Nasiliu.net 300,000 rubles (approximately $4,000) for violating Russia’s law on “foreign agent” NGOs.
• Nasiliu.net offers assistance and support to victims of domestic violence in Russia. In December 2020, it was labeled a “foreign agent” and in February 2021 the Justice Ministry threatened to dissolve the advocacy group completely due to alleged violations contained within its charter. In early March, Nasiliu.net was notified that it had one month to vacate its rented office space in Moscow. The group tried to challenge its “foreign agent” status in court, but was unsuccessful.