Elena Solovieva
Elena Solovieva, born 1975, Komi Republic. Charges: Article 330.1, Russian Criminal Code (Violation of foreign agent legislation); “Elena Solovieva's case of evading foreign agent duties”. Sentence (February 4, 2026): A fine of 250,000 rubles. Status: not in Russia.
In brief
Komi Republic · Journalists · Cases against "foreign agents"
Sentence
A fine of 250,000 rubles
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 330.1, Russian Criminal Code — Violation of foreign agent legislation
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, in 2024-2025, being the head of the association of an online magazine and media platform included in the register of foreign agents, having been brought to administrative responsibility for violations of the procedure for the activities of a foreign agent at least twice during the year, Solovieva again violated the requirements established by the legislation of the Russian Federation. The formal reason was the late submission of reports to the Ministry of Justice. After moving to Canada, the journalist stopped submitting reports: the Canadian post office did not work with Russia, and she herself did not receive any funds in Russian accounts.
Latest event
February 4, 2026 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict.
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict
· Persecution begins
Elena Solovieva's case of evading foreign agent duties
· Added to the register of “foreign agents”
Criminal case
Elena Solovieva's case of evading foreign agent duties
- Case number
- 1-26/2025
Details and sources
Full summary
Solovieva is a journalist from Syktyvkar, who has left Russia. Before emigrating, she worked with independent publications, including Sever.Realii, 7x7 and Novaya Gazeta, covering protests in Shies and environmental issues. After moving to Canada with her family, she began writing articles in French for local media and hosting the podcast "Voices of the Forest" about the history and mythology of the Komi people.
In October 2021, the journalist was added to the register of "foreign agents".
In August 2025, a case was brought against her for evading the duties of a "foreign agent" due to her failure to submit a report to the Ministry of Justice in a timely manner. The journalist stopped submitting reports after moving to Canada. In September, Solovieva was put on a wanted list.
On 4 February 2026, the journalist was sentenced in absentia to a fine of 250,000 rubles.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 330.1, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.