MOSCOW – Russian authorities on Monday added Pyotr Verzilov, a prominent member of the Pussy Riot protest group, to the government’s most wanted list, in the latest step to put pressure on activists opposition and independent media.
Verzilov, a publisher of the independent news site Mediazona, was branded a “foreign spy” along with the media outlet and editor-in-chief Sergei Smirnov in September. The designation comes with additional oversight. government and carries strong pitiful connotations that can discredit the recipient.
His name appeared on the Russian Interior Ministry’s most wanted list because he did not declare his Canadian citizenship to the authorities, according to his lawyer Leonid Solovyov.
In comments to Russia’s state news agency Tass, Solovyov stressed that Verzilov does not face prison for the crime and could be forced to pay a fine or do community service if found guilty.
As of 2014, Russians who fail to declare their second citizenship can face fines of up to 200,000 rubles ($2,770) or up to 400 hours of community service.
In recent months, the government has designated several independent media outlets and journalists as “foreign agents” and raided the homes of several prominent reporters. The publisher of an outlet that has released investigative reports on allegations of corruption and abuse by top Russian officials and oligarchs close to Putin has been outlawed as an organization.” unexpected”.
Two other news outlets closed after authorities accused them of having links to “unwanted” organisations.
Human rights groups in Russia have faced similar pressure, with at least two groups disbanding themselves in recent months to avoid a further crackdown.
Verzilov gained worldwide attention in 2018 when he and three other Pussy Riot activists ran into the soccer field during the World Cup final in Moscow to protest against police brutality, action that They have to spend 15 days in prison.
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