The Supreme Lama of Kalmykia left his post after being recognized as a “foreign agent”

The representative of the Dalai Lama in Russia, the CIS countries and Mongolia, Telo Tulku Rinpoche (Erdni-Basan Ombadykov), resigned from the post of Supreme Lama of Kalmykia after being recognized as a “foreign agent.” This became known from an appeal on the website of the Central Khurul of Kalmykia.

Ombadykov announced that he was removing and transferring to others all powers associated with the post of Shajin Lama of Kalmykia.

“Over the past two days, many people have expressed concern and sympathy regarding my name being added to the register of foreign agents. I am sincerely grateful to them for their participation and appreciation of my work. “To the people of Kalmykia and all followers of Buddhism in these difficult times, I wish to maintain courage, perseverance and commitment to the ideals of compassion, love and non-violence on which the Teachings of the Buddha we profess are based,” he added.

The Ministry of Justice recognized Ombadykov as a “foreign agent” on January 27. The reason was that he spoke out against the war in Ukraine, and is also a US citizen and lives outside the Russian Federation.

• In December 2022, the law and numerous legislative amendments to “foreign agency” regulation came into force. Among other things, they tighten liability for failure to submit reports to the Ministry of Justice, and also abolish banking, family and commercial secrets. More details in the analysis of OVD-Info .
• In addition, Vladimir Putin signed a law on imprisonment for a term of up to five years for “foreign agents” who were brought to justice twice in a year for violating the procedure for the activities of a “foreign agent” (Article 19.34 of the Administrative Code).
• OVD-Info launched the Inoteka project. We investigate practices of pressure on civil initiatives and protect victims from laws on “foreign agents.”