RIA Novosti: A criminal case has been opened against Yury Dud for failure to fulfil the obligations of a ‘foreign agent’

A criminal case has been opened against journalist Yury Dud for failing to fulfil the obligations of a “foreign agent” (Article 330.1 of the Criminal Code), reports RIA Novosti, citing a source in law enforcement agencies.

Earlier today, the Moscow Prosecutor’s Office reported that it had handed over materials to the Investigative Committee to open a case against Dud for repeated violation of “foreign agent” legislation (Part 2 of Article 330.1 of the Criminal Code).

The agency noted that Dud was twice in one year held liable under a similar administrative article (Part 4 of Article 19.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences). In both cases, the reason was failing to include a “foreign agent” label in his publications. Nonetheless, Dud continued publishing his materials without this marking, according to the prosecutor’s office.

The Ministry of Justice added the journalist to the list of “foreign agents” in April 2022.

22 July The court issued a ruling in absentia to arrest Yury Dud for two months in the case concerning his alleged evasion of “foreign agent” obligations. This was reported by the press service of Moscow courts of general jurisdiction.

The press service also clarified the charge. Dud is accused of failing to provide documents required for inclusion in the “foreign agents” register, as a person who carries out the “deliberate collection of information in the field of military activity of the Russian Federation” (Part 3 of Article 330.1 of the Criminal Code). Under this article, the journalist faces up to five years in prison.