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Russia has for the first time branded individuals as foreign agents, including three who contribute to RFE/RL.
Five journalists or activists in total were added to the Russian Justice Ministry s registry of foreign mass media performing the functions of a foreign agent on December 28.
Previously only foreign-funded, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and rights groups were placed on the registry, in keeping with Russia s passage of its controversial foreign-agents law in 2012. The law was later expanded to include media outlets and independent journalists.
Inclusion on the registry imposes additional restrictions, such as the obligation to provide regular financial reports on activities and in the way publications are labeled.