Russian expert charged over citation by 'undesirable' group

For the first time in Russia, a person has been accused of 'collaborating with an undesirable organization' because the organization cited his texts.

Consensus

Olga Sibirieva is a researcher at the 'Sova' research center.
The 'International Alliance for Religious Freedom' (MARS) was declared 'undesirable' in Russia in 2024.
Sibirieva was summoned to the Narо-Fominsk city prosecutor's office.
An administrative case was opened against her for alleged collaboration with MARS.
The basis for the case is that MARS cited her public reports on religious freedom.
The reports were published on the 'Sova' center's website and were publicly accessible.
The 'Sova' center denies any ties with MARS and claims this is the first known case in Russia where someone is accused of collaboration based on being cited by an 'undesirable' organization.
The case was initiated after Sibirieva appeared at the prosecutor's office following a summons.

Police conducted a 'room inspection' at Sibirieva's apartment in early August, seizing equipment and books. — tg_dwglavnoe
The 'room inspection' took place on August 4. — tvrain
The case was initiated after Sibirieva attended the prosecutor's office, where she spoke with First Deputy Prosecutor Denis Selyanov. — tg_theinsider
The court document does not include links to MARS materials citing Sibirieva’s work, but the center suspects such references exist in other case documents. — tg_theinsider
MARS was created at the initiative of the US State Department in 2020 and includes representatives from 38 countries. — tg_dwglavnoe
MARS has documented repression in Russia against religious groups such as Jehovah's Witnesses and Hizb ut-Tahrir, as well as persecution of clergy and believers on Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces. — tg_dwglavnoe