Russia journalist’s home searched in probe of prominent exiled colleague News
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Russia journalist’s home searched in probe of prominent exiled colleague

The media outlet Fontanka.ru reported Friday that their journalist, Ksenia Klochkova, had her home searched by police in connection with a criminal investigation against journalist Andrei Zakharov. Zakharov left Russia in December 2021, having stated that he faced unprecedented surveillance after being designated as a foreign agent.

Fontanka.ru indicated that on Friday around 9 a.m., an investigative commission searched Klochkova’s home for 3 hours and subsequently confiscated her electronic devices. They also stated that Klochkova is awaiting interrogation. According to Fontanka’s editor-in-chief, Alexander Gorshkov, the searches at Ksenia’s residence are allegedly part of this case because she is an acquaintance of Zakharov.

Based on media accounts, Russian authorities opened a legal case against Zakharov on Wednesday for allegedly failing to comply with the requirements of the “foreign agent” label. In Russia, any individual or organization, regardless of their nationality or location, could be designated as a foreign agent by the authorities if they engage in civic activism or simply express views concerning Russian policies or the conduct of officials, as long as the authorities allege that they are under foreign influence. Those who receive this designation face criminal charges if they do not comply with the associated legal obligations, such as submitting periodic financial reports, detailed lists of income and expenses, and displaying disclaimers on all their articles, social media posts, and other materials.

Fontanka.ru claims that the investigation against Zakharov was initiated under Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, for the alleged dissemination of falsehoods about the country’s armed forces.

Zakharov expressed concern on Friday over the situation facing Klochkova, his former colleague at Fontanka.ru. He indicated that the charges against him, whether for non-compliance with “foreign agent” regulations or for allegedly disseminating false information about the Russian armed forces, are predictable consequences of his journalistic work, but he did not provide further details.

In recent years, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has noted a concerning trend in Russia. Alongside severe sentences and even instances of torture against journalists, authorities are increasingly resorting to fines and short detentions under various pretexts as part of a systematic campaign to intimidate media professionals. RSF also highlights the arbitrary inclusion of media outlets on the “foreign agents” list, subjecting them to bureaucratic hurdles and legal risks. Moreover, since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, independent journalists have faced heightened risks, leading many to seek refuge abroad. According to RSF, authorities have employed various tactics to pressure those who have fled, including visits to their family members and convicting them in absentia.

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