The Ministry of Justice declared participants in extinguishing fires in the Krasnodar Territory to be foreign agents

The Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation included in the register of non-profit organizations performing the functions of a foreign agent, "Environmental watch in the North Caucasus."

The decision was made following the results of an "unscheduled documentary check" carried out by the Department of the Ministry of Justice for the Republic of Adygea.

In September 2016, volunteers from the Environmental Watch for the North Caucasus, together with activists from Greenpeace and other organizations, took part in extinguishing natural fires in the Krasnodar Territory and Adygea. One night, the expedition members were beaten up by unknown people in masks; a few days later, on the way to the fire, they were detained by the police.

• The status of "foreign agent" is assigned to non-profit organizations that, according to the Ministry of Justice, receive funding from abroad and at the same time are engaged in political activities. Such NPOs are required to report that they are a “foreign agent” and are subject to more frequent scrutiny. *