Former Russian President Medvedev calls for stricter ‘foreign agent’ law

Dubai: Former President Dmitry Medvedev on Saturday called on Russia to toughen its laws on “foreign agents” and prosecute individuals acting in the interests of foreign states.
Russia has legislation that labels groups and individuals as foreign agents – a term that carries the Soviet-era connotations of espionage – if they receive foreign money to engage in political activity.
Dozens of Kremlin critics are listed as foreign agents, including journalists and rights activists, and many have fled abroad.
Medvedev, who now serves as deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, said the law needed to be invoked by “foreign agents” as Moscow carries out its military intervention in Ukraine and finds itself under unprecedented sanctions from the West. finds under.
Medvedev wrote on the Telegram messaging app, “If they (foreign agents) are carrying out activities against our country – especially during this difficult period – and receiving money for it from our enemies, our response will be quick.” Must be tougher.”
He said the law should more accurately classify “foreign agents” and impose harsher consequences for their crimes.
Currently, those listed are subject to strict financial reporting requirements and must preface anything they publish, including social media posts with a disclaimer stating that they are foreigners. are agents.
Lawmakers said last month they planned to introduce amendments to the law to add more restrictions, including investing in strategic industries and working with children.
Medvedev also said that he supported the legislative initiative to criminally prosecute “people acting in the interest of a foreign state.”
His post begins and ends with a reference to a 1960 Soviet television series set during the Russian Civil War of the 1960s, in which Medvedev mentions that the protagonist was shot as a spy.