Pro-Putin political scientist Markov* became a foreign agent after praising Aliyev

The Russian Justice Ministry has added political scientist Sergei Markov* to the register of foreign agents, as Z-bloggers called for after his laudatory remarks about the President of Azerbaijan. Markov* once again recalled his long-standing support for Putin and decided to challenge the status.

As "Kavkazsky Uzel" wrote, in July, against the backdrop of worsening Russian-Azerbaijani relations, some Z-bloggers called for pro-Kremlin political scientist Sergei Markov, who praised Ilham Aliyev in front of Azerbaijani journalists in Shusha, to be declared a foreign agent. In response, Markov reminded that he has been "a supporter of Putin for all 26 years."

Sergey Markov "participated in the dissemination" of messages and materials of foreign agents, as well as organizations recognized as undesirable in Russia, according to an official statement on the website of the Ministry of Justice.

“In addition, he participated as a respondent on information platforms provided by foreign media and a foreign agent. He disseminated false information about decisions made by public authorities of the Russian Federation and the policies they pursue,” the department said in a statement.

Markov* himself called his inclusion in the register of foreign agents “slander” and a mistake.” “It seems to me that this is some kind of slander, because, well, firstly, I am not a foreign agent, and secondly, I had no contacts. Well, sometimes they can somehow... make a mistake,” Ostorozhno Media quotes him as saying.

Markov intends to challenge his foreign agent status in court, the Baza Telegram channel notes.

About 20 minutes before the publication of the Justice Ministry’s message, Markov* called for “attacking Ukraine” in his Telegram channel and called Ukrainians “slaves.” An hour after this publication, he wrote three messages commenting on his new status. None of the new posts are accompanied by the note that the Justice Ministry requires foreign agents to accompany their statements and publications.

“I am not a foreign agent. And everyone knows this. I have supported and support the policies of Vladimir Putin for all 25 years. And I am under Canadian sanctions. The attacks on me are carried out by the enemies of Russia and the enemies of Vladimir Putin’s policies. “They will either show themselves as traitors in the future or be fired as corrupt officials,” the Telegram channel “Markov’s Logic” says in its messages. The channel’s author also added that he was “overwhelmed by a wave of support” from “true Russian patriots.”

* are included in the register of foreign agents by the Ministry of Justice of Russia.

** the activities of the Meta company (which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) are prohibited in Russia.