Putin's first prime minister and later his opponent has been added to Russia's 'foreign agent' list
Russia’s Justice Ministry has added President Vladimir Putin’s first prime minister who later became an opponent to its register of “foreign agents.”
ByThe Associated Press
November 24, 2023, 2:02 PM
FILE – Former Russian Prime Minister, and one of opposition leaders, Mikhail Kasyanov, center, attends a march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow, Russia, on Feb. 24, 2019. Russia’s Justice Ministry on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, added Mikhail Kasyanov, who was President Vladimir Putin’s first prime minister but then became one of his opponents, to its register of “foreign agents.”Russian law allows for figures and organizations receiving money or support from outside the country to be designated as foreign agents, a term whose pejorative connotations could undermine the designee’s credibility. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)The Associated Press
MOSCOW — Russia's Justice Ministry on Friday added Mikhail Kasyanov, who was President Vladimir Putin's first prime minister but then became one of his opponents, to its register of “foreign agents.”
Russian law allows for figures and organizations receiving money or support from outside the country to be designated as foreign agents, a term whose pejorative connotations could undermine the designee's credibility.
The law, which has been extensively used against opposition figures and independent news media, also requires material published by a designee to carry a prominent disclaimer stating that it comes from a foreign agent.
The ministry's website says Kasyanov “took part in the creation and dissemination of messages and materials of foreign agents to an unlimited circle of people, disseminated false information about the decisions taken by public authorities of the Russian Federation and the policies pursued by them” and “opposed the special military operation in Ukraine.”
Kasyanov became prime minister in 2000 after Putin was elected to the presidency and served through 2004, when he was dismissed. He was primarily responsible for economic reforms, including Russia's adoption of a flat income tax.
He became a prominent opposition figure after leaving office and attempted to run for president in 2008, but his candidacy was rejected by the national election commission.
Kasyanov later faded from view as Russia's opposition weakened under arrests and repressions. After Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, Kasyanov left the country and has been reported to be in Latvia.
News Related-
Indonesia's 3 presidential contenders vow peaceful campaigns ahead of next year election
-
Madagascar's main opposition candidate files a lawsuit claiming fraud in the presidential election
-
UK government reaches a pay deal with senior doctors that could end disruptive strikes
-
Poland's president swears in a government expected to last no longer than 14 days
-
Hiam Abbass' Palestinian family documentary 'Bye Bye Tiberias' applauded at Marrakech Film Festival
-
Putin signs Russia's largest national budget, bolstering military spending
-
The spokesman for Qatar's Foreign Ministry says Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend truce for two more days
-
Pope Francis getting antibiotics for lung problem, limiting appointments: Vatican
-
Tesla sues Swedish agency as striking workers stop delivering license plates for its new vehicles
-
Live updates | Israel-Hamas truce will be extended for 2 more days, Qatar says
-
Puerto Rico opposition party to hold gubernatorial primary
-
Beijing police investigate major Chinese shadow bank Zhongzhi after it says it's insolvent
-
Wilders ally overseeing first stage of Dutch coalition-building quits over fraud allegation
-
Central European interior ministers agree to step up fight against illegal migration at EU borders