Union of Journalists of Abkhazia Responds to Russia’s ‘Foreign Agent’ Designation

SUKHUM / AQW’A — The Russian Ministry of Justice has added two Abkhaz journalists to its register of "foreign agents", sparking criticism from media professionals in Abkhazia.

Nizfa Arshba, editor of the Abkhaz news agency Aiashara, and Izida Chania, founder of Nuzhnaya Gazeta, were included in the updated list published on 21 March 2025. Both journalists, who are citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia with no legal ties to Russia, have been accused of disseminating "false information" about Russian policies and electoral processes.

Their designation follows the earlier blacklisting of Chegemskaya Pravda editor Inal Khashig, who became the first Abkhaz journalist to be labelled a foreign agent by the Russian authorities.

The Union of Journalists of Abkhazia has responded to the move, expressing concern over the lack of action from the Abkhaz authorities. Its chairman, Ruslan Khashig, has urged the journalists to challenge their designation in Russian courts, calling it a "fight for freedom of speech".

The full statement reads below.

For the second time in the past three weeks, the Russian Ministry of Justice has added Abkhaz journalists to its register of foreign agents. This time, Nizfa Arshba (editor of the Aiashara news agency) and Izida Chania (founder of Nuzhnaya Gazeta) have been designated as such. Below, I provide the official justifications as stated on the Russian Ministry of Justice website:

"N.D. Arshba: disseminated false information about decisions taken by public authorities of the Russian Federation and their policies, as well as about the electoral system. She is the founder and head of a foreign publication."

"I.T. Chania: participated in the dissemination of messages and materials from foreign agents to an unrestricted audience. As an employee of a foreign publication, she disseminated false information about decisions taken by public authorities of the Russian Federation and their policies, as well as about the electoral system. She collaborates with an online resource linked to an organisation included in the list of foreign and international non-governmental organisations whose activities are deemed undesirable within the Russian Federation."

I wish to remind that on 7 March 2025, the Russian Ministry of Justice added journalist, political analyst, and editor of Chegemskaya Pravda, Inal Khashig, to the foreign agents register. In response, on 11 March, the Union of Journalists of Abkhazia issued a statement, calling on the authorities of Abkhazia to defend the rights of its citizen.

On 13 March, the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Abkhazia, Anas Kishmaria, while presenting her 2024 activity report to Parliament, stated that the Abkhaz state cannot evade or distance itself from its obligation to protect its citizens. Kishmaria publicly appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor General’s Office, and the President of Abkhazia, urging them to inform the public about any measures taken or planned in response to these developments.

To date, no Abkhaz official has expressed a position on this matter. On 21 March 2025, the Russian Ministry of Justice designated two more Abkhaz journalists as foreign agents.

Nizfa Arshba and Izida Chania are members of the Union of Journalists of Abkhazia. The media outlets where they work and serve as editors are registered with the Ministry of Justice of Abkhazia. They conduct their journalistic activities in accordance with the 2004 Law of the Republic of Abkhazia on Mass Media. Their work primarily focuses on the socio-political affairs of the republic.

Regrettably, two weeks after our previous statement, the Union of Journalists of Abkhazia does not see the feasibility of once again appealing to the state authorities and officials to defend its citizens. The time that has passed has demonstrated the futility of expecting such steps from the Abkhaz government.

In light of this, I call on my colleagues to challenge their designation as foreign agents in Russian courts. I am fully aware of the difficulties this process entails, but I consider it crucial, as contesting the foreign agent status is both a defence of one’s rights and a fight for freedom of speech. The Union of Journalists of Abkhazia is committed to providing all possible support and guarantees its solidarity.

Ruslan Khashig, Chairman of the Union of Journalists of Abkhazia
24 March 2025