Russian law enforcement authorities issued an arrest warrant for Alexander Gabuev, the banished director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, on undefined charges, the independent news outlet Mediazona reported Wednesday.Gabuevs name appeared in the Interior Ministrys wanted database a month after state media reported that he had actually been charged with taking part in activities of an unfavorable organization and stopping working to adhere to Russias foreign agent law.He didnt mark his Telegram posts as a foreign representative, the state-run news company RIA Novosti reported in April, pointing out a source familiar with the case.Russias Justice Ministry labeled Gabuev a foreign agent in May 2023.
Under the law, individuals with that designation need to include prominent disclaimers on all publications and social networks posts and send detailed monetary disclosures.
Failure to comply can result in criminal prosecution.Gabuev is a popular expert on Russian and Chinese foreign policy and is often quoted by international media.
He leads the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, which is now based in Berlin.In July 2023, Russian prosecutors stated the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace an unfavorable company, effectively prohibiting its work in Russia and criminalizing engagement with its activities, including sharing its material online.Despite the classification, Carnegie continues to release analysis on Russian affairs through its Berlin-based center, where Gabuev works together with other banished researchers.