Russia's Upper Chamber approves law banning foreign funding of domestic rallies

The upper chamber of the Russian parliament, the Federation Council, approved on Friday a new law that would ban funding of mass gatherings in Russia, namely rallies and demonstrations, from abroad, as well as from anonymous donors or foreign agents.

The parliament's lower house, the State Duma, adopted the bill on Wednesday to ensure transparency in the organization of public events.

The new law envisages that foreign nationals, governments, international organizations, NGOs listed as foreign agents, Russian citizens under 16 years old and so-called anonymous donors will be barred from making donations to the organization of mass gatherings. Individuals or legal entities that fail to provide their personal information will be considered anonymous. The same restrictions will also apply to Russian citizens and NGOs that are listed as foreign agents.

In addition, event organizers will have to provide their bank account details and report to the local authorities in the event of hosting gatherings of more than 500 people.

During the Friday session, the Federal Council also approved a separate law related to mass gatherings, banning rallies near the buildings of emergency services or postponing mass gatherings if there is an emergency situation or a threat of a terrorist attack.

The law will also allow a court to recognize several one-person pickets that are united in their demands as a mass gathering. In addition, the mass simultaneous presence or movement of citizens in public places with a certain aim or with a goal to put forward demands may also be recognized as a mass rally.

Media workers will have no right to take part in a rally or in its organization and are obliged to use a special press pass when covering a gathering.

The laws will be enacted after being signed by the Russian president.