Russian Ministry of Justice intends to fine journalist, human rights defender Lutfiye Zudieva in Crimea for not denouncing herself as a “foreign agent”

The Russian Ministry of Justice department in Crimea has filed an administrative offence report against Lutfiye Zudieva, a journalist for Graty media outlet and a prominent Crimean Tatar human rights defender. The report was signed by Irina Demetskaya, deputy head of the department.

Graty media outlet is concerned about these measures and considers them to be part of the targeted persecution of an independent journalist, who objectively covers the repressive practices of the Russian-installed authorities in Crimea.

Lutfiye Zudieva is accused of alleged «foreign agent» activities while not being included in the “foreign agents” registry Part 1 of Article 19.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation . Thus, the Russian Ministry of Justice primarily refers to her journalistic and human rights work, which is described in the report as “political” because it shapes public opinion in Crimea.

In particular, the report mentions Zudieva’s 2024-2025 articles for Graty media outlet about politically motivated cases in Crimea against Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians, as well as the conditions of detention of political prisoners, the illegal transfer of convicts outside the peninsula, and torture in Russian prisons. In addition, the protocol mentions Lutfiye Zudieva’s column for Newsweek on the persecution of Crimean Tatars and raids of their homes, as well as the interviews the human rights defender gave to CNN, RSF, the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, Krym.Realii and the Ukrainian NGO Women in Media.

The Russian Ministry of Justice included Lutfiye Zudieva in the “foreign agents” registry on 16 May 2025, based on «information» by Roskomnadzor and the Crimean departments of the Russian Ministry of Interior and the FSB from 2024 and 2025. She is currently challenging this status in court.

In the report, the Ministry of Justice states that a person who intends to act as a “foreign agent” is obliged to apply to the Russian authorities to be included in the registry.

The journalist disagrees with the report and has provided an explanation. She emphasised that the Ministry of Justice had not been able to prove her receiving foreign funding or being under foreign influence. Zudiyeva has appealed against her “foreign agent” label and denied her “intention” to act as such. To that, Lutfiye Zudieva highlighted the abuse of Russian legislation used to silence journalists, human rights defenders, and other individuals in Crimea who speak out about human rights violations.

“The press is the tool for civil society to speak out. It helps authors raise their concerns, discuss sensitive topics and remind us that we have the right to know and the right to speak out,” she said.

According to the journalist, the administrative offence report will be submitted to the court in the near future.  

«If I am found guilty, this report will result in a fine of 30,000 to 50,000 roubles approximately 15,000-26,000 hryvnia or $370-620 . The trial will most likely take place in September or October, depending on the court’s workload and schedule,» said Lutfiye Zudieva.

Russian pressure on journalist Lutfiye Zudieva goes on for years

Lutfiye Zudieva. Photo: Anton Naumlyuk, Graty

Lutfiye Zudieva lives in Crimea and has continually been covering repression and human rights violations in the peninsula, including the persecution of Crimean Tatars and Muslims by Russian law enforcement. She has been persecuted on numerous occasions as well.

In the summer of 2023, Zudieva was detained when she came to the Supreme Court of Crimea to cover the trial of Mejlis Deputy Chairman Nariman Dzhelial and the brothers Aziz and Asan Akhtemov, who were accused of sabotage. The Kyiv District Court of Simferopol fined her on charges of participation in an unauthorised mass event, even though she was performing her journalistic work.

In late February 2024, Zudieva was detained after her home in Dzhankoy had been searched. Two administrative offence reports were filed against the journalist for posts on her personal Facebook page. In those posts, she mentioned Radio Liberty and did not indicate the media outlet being labeled a “foreign agent” in Russia. In April, the Kyivskyi District Court of Simferopol fined the journalist 2,500 roubles approximately 1,060 hryvnias or $30 for her alleged “abuse of the freedom of information”. The journalist appealed the decision and won the case in cassation.

Later, the Simferopol Magistrate’s Court fined Zudieva 2,000 roubles (about 800 hryvnias/$25) for a post on her personal Facebook page about a court hearing in the case of the “Belogorsk group” of alleged Hizb ut-Tahrir members without mentioning that the Islamic party is banned in Russia.

In May 2024, law enforcement officers issued a written warning to Zudiyeva against committing “illegal actions in the near future”.

Ukrainian and international human rights organisations have advocated for Lutfiye Zudieva and demanded an end to her persecution. UN Special Rapporteurs recommended the Russian government to stop violations against Crimean human rights defenders and lawyers, including Zudieva. Russia did not respond to their statements.

Since 2019, the status of “foreign agent” in the Russian Federation has been approved for individuals, who cooperate with media outlets, previously recognised as “foreign agents” or receiving funding from abroad. Since 2022, the status was extended to those “under foreign influence”. “Foreign agents” are prohibited from holding positions in government bodies, participating in elections, conducting educational activities among minors, and working in state education institutions. “Foreign agents” are also deprived of the opportunity to receive financial state support and are prohibited from using the simplified taxation system.