Russia labels former prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov, a Putin critic, as a foreign agent

(Patria) - Russia's Ministry of Justice has placed former prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov on its list of "foreign agents," the BBC reported.

Kasyanov, an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin, left Russia shortly after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

He served as prime minister during Putin's first presidential term from 2000 to 2004, but condemned Russia's war in Ukraine. The liberal financial expert now lives in exile.
Many Kremlin critics and civil society groups are on the "foreign agents" list. In
the past, the label implied espionage.

Those listed must include an explanation of their "foreign agent" status in their
publications, including on social media, and provide authorities with detailed updates on
their funding sources. Their participation in Russian political life is restricted.
The Ministry of Justice stated that Kasyanov "opposed the special military operation in
Ukraine" and is "a member of the Russian Anti-War Committee, an association whose activities are aimed at discrediting Russian foreign and domestic policy."

Initially, the "foreign agent" law was applied to non-governmental organizations receiving foreign funding, but it was expanded to individuals and media outlets, whether Russian or foreign, deemed to be "under foreign influence."

In May, Russia's Supreme Court ordered the liquidation of the Party of People's Freedom (Parnas), which
was led by Kasyanov. The small liberal opposition party previously included Boris
Nemtsov, one of Putin's most vocal critics, who was killed near the Kremlin in 2015.