Dozhd TV host faces criminal case over Russia’s "foreign agent" law

Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case against Yekaterina Kotrikadze, a host and journalist with independent broadcaster TV Rain (Dozhd), accusing her of failing to comply with legal obligations imposed on individuals designated as “foreign agents.”

The case was opened under Part 2 of Article 330.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, which concerns evasion of duties stipulated under Russia’s foreign-agent legislation, the Moscow Main Directorate of the Investigative Committee said.

Kotrikadze, who has been designated a “foreign agent” by Russian authorities, has been charged in absentia, according to the statement.

She has also been included on Russia’s official list of terrorists and extremists.

“A criminal case has been opened against foreign agent Ekaterina Kotrikadze. She has been charged in absentia with committing an offense under Part 2 of Article 330.1 of the Russian Criminal Code,” the Investigative Committee said.

Dozhd, a Russian independent media outlet, was designated a “foreign agent” in Russia in 2021 and later blocked in the country.

By Vafa Guliyeva