Moscow Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Zhanna Nemtsova Over Undesirable NGO

A judge of the Moscow City Court confirmed a pre-trial detention issued in absentia and issued an arrest warrant for Zhanna Nemtsova, the daughter of the assassinated Kremlin opponent Boris Nemtsov. Authorities allege she organized the activities of an “undesirable” organization, a crime punishable by up to six years behind bars. The charge stems from her involvement with the Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom, a non-profit based in Germany that supports independent journalism and offers grants to activists, which Russian officials labeled undesirable in 2024.

Nemtsova, who has been residing in Europe for several years, rejected the appeal against the warrant. The move follows a pattern of Russian authorities targeting NGOs and independent media, as exemplified by the recent “undesirable” designation of one outlet. The case underscores the continuing pressure on dissenting voices linked to the Nemtsov legacy.