Putin again stated that there are no repressions against “foreign agents” in Russia. This is not true; the authorities are constantly coming up with ways to limit their lives. And for “failure to fulfill duties” he faces up to 5 years in prison

In Russia there are no repressions or criminal prosecutions against those included in the register of “foreign agents,” Vladimir Putin said during a direct line.

The question was asked by BBC journalist Stephen Rosenberg about what kind of future Putin plans for Russia and whether disagreement with the line of power will be punished in it. In this contest, he mentioned the limitations of the mobile Internet, as well as “searching for enemies.”

Putin admitted that the journalist was referring to “our well-known law on foreign agents, which is constantly criticized.” Once again, he stated that this was “not our invention,” and that a similar law was originally passed in the United States back in the 1930s.

According to Putin, laws on “foreign agents” in Western countries are “much more stringent” and provide for “criminal punishment up to imprisonment for activities in the political sphere with funding from abroad.”

“We don't have anything like it. Our law requires only one thing - if you are engaged in political activities, declare your sources of funding. We have no repression or criminal prosecution,”

- Putin says.

According to him, if “foreign agents” stop engaging in either political activities or refuse external sources of financing their political activities, they are removed from these lists.”

• In fact, people have long been included in the register not so much for receiving money, but for being under “foreign influence.” In particular, critics of military actions in Ukraine are actively being added to the register.

• “Foreign agents” are greatly affected by their rights: they are required to register a legal entity and report on their work and expenses, and mark all posts on social networks with a mandatory label. They are prohibited from teaching, organizing public events, running for elections, or holding positions in the civil service. Otherwise, they face fines and criminal charges.

According to Article 330.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, “foreign agents” face up to five years in prison for “failure to fulfill duties.”

• The State Duma is constantly coming up with new ways to limit the lives of “foreign agents” in Russia. Since March, their income has been transferred to special accounts in Sberbank, including fees, interest and cashback. State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin proposed transferring pensions there as well.

• The State Duma is also considering a bill that will greatly reduce the rights of “foreign agents” with an administrative protocol. For example, their funds will be frozen, they will not be able to obtain a passport at the consulate, and they will be denied the provision of government services in electronic form.