The Zamoskvoretsky District Court of Moscow has ordered the arrest in absentia of journalist, public figure, and co-founder of the Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom, Zhanna Nemtsova. She is accused of organizing the activities of a foreign organization that the Russian authorities have designated as “undesirable.”
According to Deutsche Welle, citing the press service of Moscow’s courts, the court imposed a pre-trial detention measure on Nemtsova for a period of two months. The detention period will begin once she is detained on Russian territory or following her extradition or deportation to Russia. In addition, Zhanna Nemtsova has been placed on the Russian wanted list.
Zhanna Nemtsova commented on the court’s decision on social media:
“Now I’m famous. The ‘undesirable organization’ is the Boris Nemtsov Foundation, which I founded in Germany in 2015. It is registered in Bonn, where I arrived today.”
The Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom was established in Germany in 2015 following the assassination of Boris Nemtsov. The organization works to preserve his legacy, support civil society, promote educational and research initiatives, and defend democratic values.
The ruling by the Zamoskvoretsky District Court is the latest example of the Russian authorities applying legislation on so-called “undesirable organizations” against members of civil society and organizations operating outside Russia.