Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed into law a bill that bans advertisers from working with “foreign agents.”
Under the new law, businesses can no longer advertise their products and services with individuals and entities that the Justice Ministry has branded as “foreign agents.”
Any violator of the law could face a fine or a criminal penalty.
The law makes it impossible for foreign agents to earn money from advertisements. Dissemination of information about foreign agents through the media and the internet are largely restricted.
The Kremlin has been stepping up its efforts to restrict free speech by labeling those critical of the Putin administration as foreign agents.
Meanwhile, Tass news agency says Russian authorities detained a South Korean man on suspicion of espionage earlier this year in the Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, and transferred him to Moscow for further investigation.
A court in Moscow decided to detain the suspect for an extended period through mid-June.
The Russian government has included South Korea and Japan in its list of “unfriendly” countries that impose sanctions against Russia.”
SOURCE: NHK, Tuesday, March 12, 2024
