Andrei Makarevich was recognized as a “foreign agent” because of an interview with foreign media. This is the first such case

The Ministry of Justice included Andrei Makarevich, leader of the Time Machine group, on the list of "foreign agents" due to statements in foreign media. In particular, the musician received this status due to an interview with Ukrainian journalist Dmitry Gordon and the Dozhd TV channel, writes RBC.

On Friday, the Zamoskvoretsky Court of Moscow dismissed Makarevich's lawsuit, which challenged his recognition as a "foreign agent." The objection that the Ministry of Justice sent to the judge states that most of Makarevich's publications are related to the war in Ukraine. In them, according to the department, the musician "systematically spreads negative opinions about the decisions taken by the state authorities of Russia and their representatives, including accusing them of committing war crimes, as well as identifying Russia and Nazi Germany."

“It can be assumed from the objections of the Ministry of Justice that the reason is the dissemination of information, including its opinion about the SVO. Foreign funding was not found, but since he gave interviews to foreign journalists, it was considered “foreign influence” - they allegedly provided him with a platform for disseminating opinions, ”explained the musician’s lawyer Alexander Peredruk.

He also said that the Ministry of Justice was unable to answer questions about “what was the impact on Makarevich. And why is it in the interests of Ukraine.” In addition, Peredruk recalled that Makarevich gave an interview to Gordon six months before the latter was included in the register of “foreign agents”.

According to the head of the international human rights group Agora Pavel Chikov, the musician was the first to be included in the list of "foreign agents" not for funding, but because of "foreign influence."

“On December 1, the Federal Law “On Control over the Activities of Persons Under Foreign Influence” comes into force, which will make it possible to include people under foreign influence in the register of agents. The availability of funding from a foreign source is no longer a necessary condition,” Chikov wrote.

Sources: RBC , Pavel Chikov

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