Russian law enforcement authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Alesya Marokhovskaya, the head editor of the independent investigative outlet IStories, the publication reported Friday.
It was not immediately clear what charges Marokhovskaya faces, though she has previously been fined twice for allegedly violating Russia’s restrictive “foreign agent” law.
Marokhovskaya was designated a “foreign agent” by Russia’s Justice Ministry in August 2021. This designation requires her to submit detailed financial reports and include lengthy disclaimers on all published content, including social media posts.
Last month, IStories reported that a Russian police investigator contacted Marokhovskaya via Telegram, threatening to add her to the country’s wanted list if she did not return to Russia. In December, police reportedly executed a search-and-seizure warrant at her parents’ home in the Far East city of Magadan.
Since Russia introduced its “foreign agent” law in 2012, hundreds of journalists, cultural figures and organizations have been hit with the designation, which carries strong Soviet-era connotations of espionage.
Russian authorities have continued to tighten restrictions on those branded as “foreign agents,” including barring them from advertising, running for political office and earning income from property sales or royalties.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
