Kathrine Frich
Russian authorities have escalated their campaign against high-profile opponents by adding several exiled figures to a national security blacklist.
The decision targets long-standing critics of the Kremlin who have lived abroad since the start of the war in Ukraine.
At the center of the latest move is Vladimir Putin’s first prime minister.
Former top official blacklisted
According to Digi24, Rosfinmonitoring has placed former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov on its registry of “terrorists and extremists.”
The database now also includes economist Sergei Guriev and Kirill Martynov, editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta Europa.
Under Russian law, banks must block the financial assets of anyone listed and suspend their access to services.
All three men had previously been labeled “foreign agents” and now live outside Russia.
They are members of the Anti-War Committee of Russia, formed after the invasion of Ukraine.
Criminal case announced
On October 14, the FSB opened a criminal case against members of the committee, accusing them of “violent seizure of power” and “organization of a terrorist community.”
These allegations fall under Articles 278 and 205.4 of the Russian Criminal Code.
Authorities have designated the group as “undesirable,” claiming without evidence that its purpose is to overthrow the government and “change the constitutional order.”
Kasyanov served as prime minister from 2000 to 2004 after previously heading the Ministry of Finance.
He became a prominent opposition figure following his time in government.
Longstanding critic of the Kremlin
In 2010, Kasyanov helped create a political coalition with Boris Nemtsov, Vladimir Ryzhkov and Vladimir Milov.
That initiative evolved into the People’s Freedom Party (PARNAS). Russia’s Supreme Court dissolved the party in May 2023.
The latest designations extend beyond Kasyanov’s circle.
Expanding list of opponents
Digi24 reports that three additional Anti-War Committee members were added to the “terrorists and extremists” list earlier this week.
They include political scientist Ekaterina Shulman and businessmen Boris Zimin and Mikhail Kokorich.
The FSB’s criminal case currently names 22 individuals, as well as unspecified “other unidentified persons.”
Investigators claim the organisation finances “Ukrainian militarized nationalist divisions,” recruits individuals for them and aims “to eliminate the current government in Russia.”
On its website, the Anti-War Committee says its mission is to support people who oppose the Kremlin’s military actions.
