Translated material
Pskov: A journalist recognized as an ino -agent transferred money to the authorities
The editor -in -chief of the Pskov province, Denis Kamalyagin, recognized by the Russian authorities by a foreign agent, transferred money through the mobile bank to the Governor of the Pskov Region and the mayor of Pskov, as well as the State Duma deputy representing the region. Kamalyagin said this in an interview with Medusa (included in the list of foreign agents).
According to the journalist, he transferred money to the phone numbers back in January, shortly after receiving the status of a foreign agent. “At this moment, the State Duma adopted a law on faces affiliated with“ foreign agents ”. In theory, these comrades, who will participate in the elections, should indicate at least 15% of their (advertising) squares that they are associated with“ foreign agents, ”said Denis Kamalyagin.
The deputy, the head of the administration and the governor returned the money back after the journalist publicly spoke about the transfer of funds. According to Kamalyagin, he wanted to conduct an experiment and find the opportunity to once again discuss the law on foreign agents. He noted that the legal consequences for officials and deputies have not yet come. “Of course, according to the letter of the law, which is, according to the articles of the media law that is, any person who has come some money from abroad and he has a page on any social network, he can be recognized as a foreign agent. The issue of the practice of application, to whom these articles are applied, is another question,” said Denis Kamalyagin in a conversation with the rain.
Advisor to the Governor in Information Policy Anton Sergeyev told the Vedernikov head Mikhail Vedernikov will not report on the money received from Denis Kamalyagin.
Sergeev said that the governor should have reported on the relationship with the “foreign agent” only if he "carried out political activities in the interests of a foreign state or acquired something for these funds in the interests of anyone."
- In December 2020, the Ministry of Justice recognized as foreign agents the Pskov journalist Lyudmila Savitskaya, human rights activist Leo Ponomareva, activist Daria Apakhonchich from St. Petersburg, the chief editor of the Pskov province Denis Kamalyagin and journalist Sergei Markelov from Karelia. After inclusion in the register, they were obliged to mark any of their messages, including on social networks, the phrase that they are media-foreign agents, as well as report to the Ministry of Justice of all expenses, including travel on the bus and buying food. In addition, persons recognized by foreign agents are required to register a legal entity. On May 5, the court recognized the status of a foreign agent for Lyudmila Savitskaya.
- According to the law adopted by the State Duma, candidates for elected positions receiving financing from abroad, as well as persons affiliated with them, are obliged to inform voters about the performance of a foreign agent and march their agitation products. The notes on the participation of the elections of foreign agents and the persons affiliated with them should occupy at least 15% of the area of campaign material, this information should be announced during campaigning.
- In April 2021, the Ministry of Justice introduced the Medusa publication to the register of foreign agents, the editors do not agree with the decision and is ready to challenge it in court.