Researcher Sibirieva Fined for 'Collaboration' with Undesirable Org
A protocol regarding cooperation with a 'undesirable' organization was drawn up against Olga Sibiryeva, an expert at the 'Sova' research center, due to the use of 'Sova' materials in the work of an external project.
Consensus
- Olgа Sibirieva is a researcher at the 'Sova' Center.
- An administrative protocol was issued against her under Article 20.33 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses.
- The protocol alleges collaboration with the 'International Alliance for Religious Freedom' (MARF), which was declared 'undesirable' in 2024.
- MARF referenced Sibirieva's public reports on religious freedom in Russia in its documents.
- The reports were published on the 'Sova' Center's website and were available in open access.
- On August 4, operatives from Center 'E' conducted a search at Sibirieva's home and seized equipment and books.
- On August 17, Sibirieva was informed of the protocol at the Naro-Fominsk City Prosecutor's Office.
- The first deputy city prosecutor, Denis Selyanov, personally delivered the protocol.
- The 'Sova' Center denies any collaboration with MARF.
- The 'Sova' Center states that MARF was only mentioned on its website in connection with its designation as 'undesirable'.
- The date of the court hearing has not been set.
Points of divergence
- The protocol was delivered by Denis Selyanov personally at the Naro-Fominsk City Prosecutor’s Office on August 17. — tg_astrapress
- This is likely the first case where someone is prosecuted for being cited by a 'undesirable' organization. — novaya_eu
- The 'Sova' Center believes this may be the first case where a person is accused of collaboration based on a 'non-expert' reference to their public material by a 'undesirable' organization. — mediazona
- The decision to open the case cites the 'Sova' Center’s reports on religious freedom for 2024 and 2025, but the official decision does not include references to specific MARF publications. — tg_astrapress
- The 'Sova' Center notes that the protocol does not contain references to MARF’s specific documents, but such references may exist in other case materials. — mediazona
Coverage (4 sources)
- Protocol drafted for «Sova» Center employee Olga Sibiryeva on «collaboration with an undesirable organization» — ASTRA
- Protocol on cooperation with an 'undesirable organization' was drawn up for the researcher center 'Ovcharka' employee after... — ЭХО / Новости
- A protocol was drawn up against the center 'Sova' for being quoted by an 'undesirable organization'. This is likely the first such case — Новая газета Европа
- On expert Olga Sibiryeva of the «Owl» research center a protocol on cooperation with a «undesirable» organization was drawn up due to the use of the center's materials by an external project — Медиазона