Russia's Justice Ministry has re-added the independent news outlet Mediazona to its register of 'foreign agents', the second time the publication has been listed. In 2021, the ministry designated the legal entity that founded Mediazona, but after its liquidation, the outlet was removed from the registry.
The ministry also listed the democratic community of Russians 'First Flight' (Pervym reysom) in the same Friday update. The registry now includes journalist and LGBT activist Miloslav Chemodanov, journalist and documentary filmmaker Igor Sadreev, creator of the human rights project 'Red Button' Alexander Litreev, journalist and volunteer Natalia Kiseleva, and political scientist Vsevolod Bederson of the research project 'Chronicles'.
The Justice Ministry updates the 'foreign agents' registry every Friday. It currently contains more than 1,200 individuals and organizations. Being listed entails significant restrictions on rights; human rights advocates call the 'foreign agents' law itself repressive.