Russia initiates first case regarding law on foreign agents
In Novocherkassk, investigators initiated criminal proceedings against the Chairperson of the Zhenshchiny Dona Foundation, Valentina Cherevatenko, under the Article on willful evasion of implementation of law on foreign agents. It is the first criminal case initiated under this Article in Russia, Radio Svoboda reported. In addition to the Zhenshchiny Dona (Women of the Don) Foundation, Cherevatenko is also the head of the eponymous fund that was added to the Ministry of Justice’s list of NGO foreign agents in 2015.
The investigators allege that Cherevatenko had criminal intent when creating the Zhenshchiny Dona Foundation in 2013. Authorities asserted that the fund was engaged in political activities and received foreign funding. However, Cherevatenko deliberately made no applications on its inscription in the register. The human rights activist faces two years of imprisonment if found guilty.
In her interview with Vedomosti, Cherevatenko denied all accusations of receiving foreign funding and called her criminal prosecution politically motivated. According to her, the pressure on the Zhenshchiny Dona Foundation began after the start of Civilian Minsk project, the purpose of which was to monitor the implementation of Minsk Agreements by the parties of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Earlier, human rights activists from several countries signed the appeal to support Valentina Cherevatenko. In particular, they stated that the actions of the Investigative Committee against Cherevatenko constitute unreasonable interference in the work of civilian organizations. According to them, these actions violate the international obligations of Russia in the area of human rights.