Context

Russian scientists will hold a rally on June 6 in support of the Dynasty Foundation, which was included in the list of foreign agents by the Ministry of Justice on May 25. In agreement with the Moscow mayor's office, the action "For Science and Education" will take place on Suvorov Square. “We cannot sit back and watch as the state destroys one of the best charitable foundations,” the rally organizers said in a statement. “We cannot tolerate the fact that the state sees teachers, scientists and philanthropists as enemies.” In addition, the rally participants will demand that the authorities increase funding for science and education.

Let us remind you that on Monday, by decision of the Ministry of Justice, the Dynasty charitable organization was included in the register of foreign agents. The department announced that it had found “that the organization corresponds to the characteristics of a non-profit organization performing the functions of a foreign agent.” On May 28, the ministry went to court with a demand to bring the Dynasty Foundation to administrative responsibility for violating the law on foreign agents: the fund faces a fine of 300 thousand to 500 thousand rubles.

On May 26, the founder of the fund, Dmitry Zimin, announced his decision to stop financing Dynasty, explaining that he “does not intend to spend his personal money under the brand of a foreign state unknown to me.” On Friday, Mr. Zimin sent an appeal to participants in the conference of RAS scientists. Wishing them to preserve their “young scientific curiosity,” the founder of the foundation said that he would resume philanthropic activities “as soon as our existence in our country becomes more civilized.”

Yulia Starostina

Scientists will support Dynasty