Russia Adds Filmmaker Zvyagintsev, Journalist Shevelev to Foreign Agents List

Russia's Justice Ministry has designated several Russian public figures as "foreign agents," state news agency TASS reported.

Among those added to the register are filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev and journalist Mikhail Shevelev, according to the ministry, as cited by TASS.

Zvyagintsev is a film director known internationally for works that have received recognition at major film festivals. Shevelev is a journalist who has worked in Russian media.

TASS did not provide additional details in the excerpt reviewed, including the specific grounds cited by the ministry for the designations or the date on which they were made.

Russia's "foreign agent" law, first introduced in 2012 and expanded in subsequent years, allows authorities to designate individuals and organizations as foreign agents if they are deemed to receive foreign support or be under foreign influence. Those designated face additional reporting requirements and other restrictions. Critics have said the law has been used to target journalists, activists and cultural figures critical of the government, while Russian authorities have maintained the designations are necessary for transparency regarding foreign influence.

Neither Zvyagintsev nor Shevelev could be reached for comment. This report is based on information published by TASS; further details on the ministry's specific findings were not immediately available.