Pussy Riot's Nadya Tolokonnikova Faces Russian Indictment Over 'Foreign Agent' Law
Nadya Tolokonnikova, co-founder of Pussy Riot, has been indicted in Russia for violating the 'foreign agent law,' escalating her ongoing conflict with Russian authorities.
Pussy Riot co-founder Nadya Tolokonnikova is once again facing serious legal challenges in Russia.
Following an investigation, Russia's Investigative Committee has indicted the punk artist and activist for violating the controversial “foreign agent law,” adding her to the federal wanted list, according to Pussy Riot representatives.
Tolokonnikova is accused of violating Part 2 of Article 330.1 of the national criminal code. This law can punish “foreign agents” with up to two years in prison for offenses like failing to register or properly label social media posts.
The Krasnoyarsk Krai Court had already found her guilty twice in 2024 of administrative offenses related to foreign agent regulations. Authorities claim that while outside Russia, she distributed materials on a messaging platform without the required labeling.
Russia’s Ministry of Justice designated Tolokonnikova as a “foreign agent” on December 30, 2021.
This indictment follows a recent protest by Pussy Riot at the Manhattan offices of tech company Ubiquiti. The collective alleges that Ubiquiti's Wi-Fi equipment is being used by Russian soldiers in the war against Ukraine.
Tolokonnikova posted a video statement accusing Ubiquiti of “powering Russian war crimes,” showing Pussy Riot members in black outfits and pink balaclavas holding a sign with the same message.
She also referenced Elon Musk's decision to cut off Russian forces' access to Starlink satellite service, saying, "When 'Starlink was turned off, Russian guys went crazy,", suggesting they were scrambling for alternatives.
Pussy Riot delivered a list of demands to Ubiquiti's Manhattan offices during their protest. Shortly after, they reported that their Square account had been deactivated.
Pussy Riot has a history of vocal criticism against the Russian government. Their 2012 “A Punk Prayer” protest gained international attention and led to the imprisonment of Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina.
They have since staged protests at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, invaded the field during the 2018 World Cup Finals, and hoisted LGBTQ pride flags outside government buildings in Moscow in 2020. In 2023, the collective received the Woody Guthrie prize for their activism.
Recently, Nadya has been vocal about Russia’s return to the Venice Biennale, creating an online petition with thousands of other artists. In an open letter to Biennale President Pietroangelo Buttafuoco, she argued that including official state representation while curating “dissent” risks turning the latter into a performative gesture.
Several countries have criticized Russia's inclusion in the Venice Biennale, with the European Commission threatening to suspend financial support. Russia withdrew from the Biennale's 59th edition in 2022 before its invasion of Ukraine.
According to a representative, Tolokonnikova's indictment will not deter her from protesting Russia’s return to the Venice Biennale.
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