Kompas Safety RUEN

← All situations

I've been designated a foreign agent

The guides below are drafts: a lawyer has not reviewed them yet. This is not legal advice.

Whom to contact

2 organisations

First Department

Lawyers for treason, espionage, state secrets and extremism cases, including closed trials. Advice on digital security.

The only official bot is @deptonebot. It never asks for money or SMS codes.

Other ways to reach them: website · info@dept.one

abroad foreign agent contact matched to the organisation's site 26 September 2026
Message the bot @deptonebot

Draft What human rights defenders advise

You've been designated a foreign agent
  • The status is assigned by the Ministry of Justice and can be challenged in court. Since spring 2025 the grounds include not just foreign funding but a vague 'foreign influence'.
  • A foreign agent must label all their material and file reports with the Ministry. If the status was given for media activity, a Russian legal entity has to be set up within a month.
  • Under the 2025 amendments a criminal case under art. 330.1 CC may be possible after a single administrative fine. Check this with a lawyer, and do it straight away.
  • Since 1 March 2025, income from renting or selling property, interest, dividends and royalties goes to a special account that cannot be used until the status is lifted.
  • Foreign agents may not teach, run educational activities, organise public events or make content for children. Where to turn: Mass Media Defence Centre, First Department.

current as of 25 September 2026. More: OVD-Info: how the foreign agent law works (extremist); First Department: foreign agents' special accounts (foreign agent); Radio Liberty: what awaits foreign agents in 2026 (undesirable)

Need a lawyer

In Russia, First Department and Solidarity Zone find lawyers. Lawyers abroad known for defending political cases: list of lawyers →

Exit