Barents Observer journalist Olesia Krivtsova to be tried under 'foreign agent' article
Russian authorities have filed an administrative case against Olesia Krivtsova for her alleged "violation of the foreign agent law."
In the region of Belgorod, a court will consider the case against Barents Observer journalist Olesia Krivtsova. She is charged with an administrative offence - non-compliance with the Russian "foreign agent" legislation.
According to documents published on the website of the Korochansky District Court, Krivtsova is to be tried for ‘acting as a foreign agent without being included in the register of foreign agents.’ In other words, the charges are retrospective; the journalist's offence is that she did not report herself as a foreign agent.
The maximum penalty under this article is a fine up to 50,000 roubles (€535). As Krivtsova told Barents Observer, if the court fines her, she will not appeal the decision and does not intend to pay the Russian state. Moreover, her bank accounts in Russia have long been blocked.
"I am not surprised. This is the way they do it in all such cases at the moment. I simply don't care," Krivtsova says in a comment.
Olesia Krivtsova was recognised as a foreign agent in August 2025. In December, the Investigative Committee resumed the criminal case against her. From before, Krivtsova is accused of 'discrediting the army' and 'justifying terrorism.' She managed to escape from house arrest. Krivtsova has been declared wanted, arrested in absentia, and included in the register of extremists and terrorists.
-------------------------------------
Note to readers:
Three journalists from the Barents Observer have been declared foreign agents in Russia, two of whom have also been fined for collaborating with an 'undesirable organisation'. The Kremlin continuously increases pressure on all opponents of the regime, including independent journalists. On December 11, it became known that the State Duma intends to introduce new repressive measures against Russians who, according to the authorities, are evading punishment abroad. In particular, they plan to freeze their accounts, suspend their driving licences, and deny consular services.
