Russian authorities investigating Yeltsin Center for possible ‘foreign agent activity’

The Russian Justice Ministry is investigating the Yeltsin Center, a cultural and education institution in Yekaterinburg, for engaging in possible “foreign agent” activity, Deputy Justice Minister Oleg Sviridenko announced on Thursday.

Claiming he didn’t remember “which of the deputies” had requested the measure, Sviridenko called the investigation “a deep one,” adding that the ministry is “not hiding anything.”

Yeltsin Center representatives reportedly told Russian state media that they’re not worried about the investigation and are confident that the authorities will not find grounds for declaring the organization a “foreign agent.”