Pussy RiotNadya Tolokonnikova and Nika Nikulshina by Nadya Tolokonnikova officially marked “foreign agents” by the Russian government, BBC news and the Associated Press report. The call is an effort by the Russian government to prevent opposition and harassment of anyone carrying the label. “Foreign agents” are required to add disclaimer statements to their social media posts, news reports, and other issues faced by the public.
Pussy Riot recognized the disclaimer requirement in a tweet, but added that they would not comply with the requirement and appeal the court’s decision. “Russia will be free,” they wrote. Earlier this week, it was reported that the human rights organization Memorial was closed due to its failure to be recognized as a foreign agent.
Tolokonnikova was arrested and jailed for two years after a 2012 protest inside Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow. Nikulshina was detained along with other members of Pussy Riot for hurried to the field in the 2018 World Cup final in Moscow.