The Ministry of Justice explained that it recognized the former editor-in-chief of Ekho Moskvy, Alexei Venediktov, as a “foreign agent” because of his salary at the radio station and the dividends he received as the owner of Diletant. The journalist spoke about this on his Twitter.

Venediktov was added to the register of media “foreign agents” on April 22. Then 10 people became “foreign agents”.

The Prosecutor General's Office demanded that the Ekho Moskvy radio be blocked on March 2. The next day, the board of directors of Echo decided to liquidate the radio station and the publication’s website.

At the end of December 2020, the State Duma adopted changes to the legislation on “foreign agents”. According to new clarifications, the status of “foreign agent” can be obtained by an individual engaged in political activities and receiving money for this from abroad. Another bill prohibits the dissemination in the media of information from “foreign agents” without a special mark. Tightening of legislation continued in February 2021.
OVD-Info launched the Inoteka project. We investigate practices of pressure on civil initiatives and protect victims from laws on “foreign agents.”

The Ministry of Justice explained the “foreign agency” of Alexei Venediktov with his salary on “Echo of Moscow”