An activist from Syktyvkar, a city in northern Russia, has been detained on criminal charges under the “foreign agent” law.

The executive director of “Revolt Centre” and former “7×7” staff member, Darya Chernysheva, has been detained in Syktyvkar, a city in northern Russia, on criminal charges under the “foreign agent” law (Part 1, Article 330.1 of the Russian Criminal Code). This was reported by the outlet Vot Tak, citing a source familiar with the case.

The activist is accused of evading the obligation to submit documents required for inclusion in the register of “foreign agents.” Today, a pretrial restriction measure is expected to be decided for her.

Chernysheva herself has never been listed as a “foreign agent.” However, in 2023, the media outlet “7×7,” which she worked with until 2022, was added to the register. Chernysheva ended her collaboration with the outlet back in 2022, but nevertheless, she is named in the register as a participant in the project.

In July 2024, an administrative offence report was drawn up against Darya Chernysheva for a publication made without foreign agent labelling by a member of an association included in the register.

• On 8 July, searches were carried out at the “Revolt Centre,” at the home of its founder Pavel Andreyev, and at the homes of journalists, human rights defenders, and activists in various regions. A criminal case for state treason (Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code) was opened against Andreyev. According to the authorities, since 2019 he had allegedly helped representatives of foreign intelligence services for money, in activities aimed against the security of the Russian Federation, and also “maintained secret contacts with representatives of NATO countries.”