The deputies adopted in the first reading amendments that will simplify the criteria for obtaining the status of «foreign agent». This is stated on the website of the lower house.
One country, one law, one registry. The State Duma intends to change the law on «foreign agents» — it will become even easier to get such a label
The bill provides for the creation of a unified register of «foreign agents». Now the Ministry of Justice maintains four similar lists — NGOs, media, individuals and unregistered associations — and their participants are subject to different requirements.
To be recognized as a “foreign agent”, the Ministry of Justice will not be required to prove that a person or organization receives money from abroad. According to the new version, he will have to «receive support or be under foreign influence in other forms.»
Under «foreign influence» deputies, in addition to funding, understand «the provision of organizational, methodological, scientific and technical assistance, assistance in other forms», «exerting influence, including through coercion, persuasion or other means».
At the same time, these people or organizations must conduct political activities, collect information about Russia's military activities or distribute messages and materials for unlimited circle of persons.
It was also proposed to include people «affiliated» with already existing «foreign agents» into the single register. These are people who were engaged in «political activities», and also received money from «foreign agents» already on the register or took part in their activities — for example, they worked in NGOs or published in the media.