Translated material
Political scientist Sergei Markov was fined in the “foreign agency” case
Recognized by the Russian authorities as a “foreign agent,” political scientist Sergei Markov, who declares himself a supporter of President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine, was fined 35 thousand rubles by a court in Moscow. He was found guilty under an administrative article for violating the procedure for the activities of a “foreign agent.” This is reported by "Caution News" and SOTAVision .
The decision was made by the Gagarinsky District Court. Markov reportedly came to the meeting wearing a T-shirt with a picture of Putin and the caption: “For Russia!” Specifically, Markov was charged with the fact that before the authorities included him in the register of “foreign agents,” he himself did not ask to be included in the list.
According to SOTAVision, lawyer Alexey Molokhov said that Markov’s offense is contrary to the Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. “The norm is absurd from the point of view of common sense. The person gives an interview to the Washington Post. But Peskov also gives it. This is discriminatory,” the lawyer said.
Markov himself called himself “a loyal son of the Russian state,” said that he loves Russia like “a son who humbly accepts a slap in the face from his father,” but at the same time noted that he “couldn’t even imagine that he would turn out to be a foreign agent, discussing with Putin’s opponents and defending Putin’s position.” He also emphasized that he supported the so-called SVO - the invasion of Ukraine.
“I am a supporter of Vladimir Putin, I was his confidant, I supported the SVO. I was not the only one who was shocked by the decision of the Ministry of Justice. <…> You were not on the bus, but you were recognized as a free rider. How is that?”, “Caution, News” quotes him as saying.
Markov, a former State Duma deputy and participant in political talk shows, was recognized as a “foreign agent” in August last year. The decision was associated with the conflict between Russia and Azerbaijan. Markov, who had previously repeatedly praised Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, was a guest at the conference with his participation. During this conference, Aliyev repeatedly spoke out in support of Ukraine.
Political scientist Sergei Markov was fined in the “foreign agency” case