A Moscow judge has issued an arrest warrant for Zhanna Nemtsova, the daughter of the late Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov, state-run media reported Thursday.
The warrant went into effect after a judge at the Moscow City Court upheld Nemtsova’s earlier pre-trial detention in absentia, which a lower court issued on July 31.
“An arrest warrant has been issued for Nemtsova Zhanna Borisovna,” the state-run RIA Novosti news agency quoted the judge as saying as she rejected the defense’s appeal.
Nemtsova, who has lived in Europe for several years, faces charges of organizing the activities of an “undesirable” organization. The criminal offense carries a maximum penalty of six years in prison.
Nemtsova said the charges stem from her work with the Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom, a Germany-based non-profit she helped establish in November 2015.
The foundation supports independent journalism and offers educational grants and scholarships to activists and reporters. Russian authorities designated Nemtsova’s foundation as “undesirable” in 2024.
Her father, Boris Nemtsov, was gunned down near the Kremlin in February 2015. He was once seen as Boris Yeltsin’s chosen successor and later became one of Vladimir Putin’s most formidable opponents.
Five men were convicted for Nemtsov’s murder, but his family and supporters maintain that the organizers behind the killing remain unpunished.
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.
