Russian authorities to begin issuing multi-thousand-dollar fines against ‘third parties’ who spread ‘foreign agent’ content

Russian Deputy Justice Minister Oleg Sviridenko said Thursday that the agency will soon impose a fine of 300,000–500,000 rubles (about $3,400–$5,600) for “third parties” who spread materials from “foreign agents.”

According to Sviridenko, “third parties” refers to anyone who “intentionally or unintentionally helps or supports foreign agents in any way.” “Any channel, for example, [that] features [comedian and “foreign agent” Maxim] Galkin and forgets to label [his “foreign agent” status]. Same with books,” he added.

The deputy minister said that offenders will initially be given a warning and will have one month to rectify the violation before they’re fined. If they fail to add the “foreign agent” label even after the fine, the authorities will “proceed to the further development of this institution,” Sviridenko said.

He said the fines will apply to “libraries, books, universities, television, and everything else.”