Scientists and university faculty in Russia are increasingly facing prosecution for financing “extremism” through donations to the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), Mediazona reported.
More than 10 such cases have reached Moscow courts in the past six months, the outlet found. The 4th Department of Directorate P within the Fourth Service of the Federal Security Service (FSB) initiated at least three cases against scientists.
The Fourth Service is also known as the Economic Security Service. The Dossier Center previously reported that officers in Directorate P provide “counterintelligence support for industry” and oversee state technology corporations including Rostec, Rusnano, and Roscosmos. One scientist who spoke to Mediazona said the FSB’s Fourth Service also oversees Skoltech and HSE University.
Among the scientists sentenced to prison is Sofya Rozenfeld, who holds a Doctor of Sciences degree in biology, Russia’s highest academic degree, and specializes in Arctic birds. Mediazona reported that her case file includes testimony from an officer with the Center E anti-extremism unit. The officer said he had received “preliminary inquiry materials” concerning Rozenfeld from the 4th Department of Directorate P within the FSB’s Fourth Service. The materials said the scientist “may be involved in financing the FBK.” This FSB unit is also mentioned in other cases against scientists over donations to the FBK.
Russia’s Anti-Corruption Foundation
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