{{Short description|Russian non-profit organization related to the Transparency International movement}} {{about|the Russian chapter of Transparency International|the international organization|Transparency International}} {{Infobox organization | name = Transparency International Russia (TI–Russia) | logo = Transparency International Russia.png | type = NGO | founded = 1999 | founders = Elena Panfilova | location = Russia (until 2023) | key_people = Alena Vandysheva (current director) | revenue = | income = | donations = | num_volunteers = | num_employees = | num_members = | subsidiaries = | slogan = | website = {{URL|1=https://ti-russia.org/en/ |2=ti-russia.org}} }} '''Transparency International Russia''' (''Центр «Трансперенси Интернешнл — Р»'', ''Центр «ТИ-Р»'', ''«Трансперенси Интернешнл-Россия»'', ''Transparency International — Россия'')) is a Russian non-governmental organization focused on combating corruption. From 1999 to 2023, it served as the official representative office of the international organization, Transparency International, in Russia. It later liquidated its legal entity in Russia and continued its work abroad as 'Transparency International Russia in exile' ({{lang|ru|Трансперенси Интернешнл — Россия в изгнании}}).<ref name=VOA1/><ref name=rsc/>
== History == The center for anti-corruption research, Transparency International Russia, was founded in 1999.<ref name=meduza1>{{cite web|url = https://amp.meduza.io/en/news/2023/03/16/transparency-international-shutters-its-russia-office|title = Transparency International shutters its Russia office|date = 2023-03-17|publisher = Meduza|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Its founder and first director was Elena Panfilova.<ref name=rsc>{{cite web|first = Marina |last= Makarova |title =Between the state and civil society: anticorruption discourse of movements and nongovernmental organisation in Russia|url =https://www.fuds.si/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/marina_makarova_39-67.pdf|journal =RSC|year =2019 }}</ref> The organization's goals were to counter corruption and reduce tolerance of it.<ref name=ovdiskluchil>{{cite web|url = https://ovd.info/express-news/2023/09/30/minyust-isklyuchil-transparency-international-russia-iz-reestra-inoagentov|title = Минюст исключил Transparency International Russia из реестра «иноагентов»|trans-title = Russian Justice Ministry removed Transparency International Russia from the "foreign agents" register|date = 2023-09-30|publisher =OVD-Info|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Activists emphasized that they did not oppose the state as a whole, but fought violations of Russian and international laws and the principles of transparency and accountability.<ref name=rsc/> At various times, regional anti-corruption centers of TI–Russia operated in Saint Petersburg, Veliky Novgorod,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://asi.org.ru/report/2016/10/18/transperensi-obnovlyaet-antikorruptsionnyj-tsentr-v-sankt-peterburge/|title = «Трансперенси» обновляет антикоррупционный центр в Санкт-Петербурге|trans-title = "Transparency" renews the anti-corruption center in St. Petersburg|date = 2016-10-18|publisher = ASI|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Barnaul,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/5979d8a69a79478364d76402|title = Глава сибирского центра Transparency обжаловал штраф за участие в митинге|trans-title = Head of Transparency’s Siberian center appeals fine for attending a rally|date = 2017-07-27|publisher = RBC|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Yekaterinburg<ref name="interfax">{{cite web|url = https://www.interfax.ru/russia/718948|title = Уральский представитель Transparency International задержана в Казани|trans-title = Transparency International’s Urals representative detained in Kazan|date = 2020-07-25|publisher = Interfax|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> and Kaliningrad.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.newkaliningrad.ru/news/politics/20236477-kafka-oruell-i-siloviki-chto-proizoshlo-posle-foruma-v-svetlogorske.html|title = Кафка, Оруэлл и силовики: что произошло после форума в Светлогорске|trans-title = Kafka, Orwell and the security forces: what happened after the forum in Svetlogorsk|date = 2018-09-18|publisher = Novy Kaliningrad|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref>
In 2014, after Elena Panfilova was elected vice president of the international Transparency International,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://rapsinews.ru/anticorruption_news/20141020/272398567.html|title = Елена Панфилова избрана вице-президентом Transparency International|trans-title = Elena Panfilova elected Vice President of Transparency International|date = 2014-10-20|publisher = RAPSI|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> the Russian chapter was headed by Anton Pominov.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.rfi.fr/ru/rossiya/20141203-transparency-international-o-korruptsii-v-rossii-berut-kak-budto-zhivut-poslednii-d|title = Transparency International о коррупции в России: «Берут, как будто живут последний день»|trans-title = Transparency International on corruption in Russia: "They take as if it's the last day"|date = 2014-12-03|publisher = RFI|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.rfi.fr/ru/rossiya/20131203-anton-pominov-po-vospriyatiyu-korruptsii-vse-strany-sng-odinakovo-slaby|title = Антон Поминов: «По восприятию коррупции все страны СНГ одинаково слабы»|trans-title = Anton Pominov: "By perception of corruption, all CIS countries are equally weak"|date = 2013-12-03|publisher = RFI|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://rb.ru/news/eks-rukovoditeli-ano/|title = Экс-руководители АНО-иноагента Панфилова и Поминов запустили «Бюро этических дилемм»|trans-title = Former heads of the "foreign agent" ANO Panfilova and Pominov launched the "Bureau of Ethical Dilemmas"|date = 2021-12-01|publisher = RB.ru |accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> In 2021 he was succeeded as chief executive by Ilia Shumanov.<ref name=шуманов-розыск>{{cite web|url = https://www.rbc.ru/politics/24/08/2024/66c9cad29a7947313da7cbf8|title = Гендиректора Transparency Russia Шуманова объявили в розыск |trans-title = Transparency Russia CEO Shumanov placed on the wanted list|date = 2024-08-24|publisher = RBC|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> In February 2025 Alena Vandysheva, who had worked at TI–Russia since 2010, became the new director.<ref>{{Cite web|title=В «Трансперенси Интернешнл — Россия» сменился директор. Вместо Ильи Шуманова эту должность заняла Алена Вандышева|trans-title=Leadership change at Transparency International Russia: Alena Vandysheva replaces Ilia Shumanov|url=https://meduza.io/news/2025/02/06/v-transperensi-interneshnl-rossiya-smenilsya-direktor-vmesto-ili-shumanova-etu-dolzhnost-zanyala-alena-vandysheva|website=Meduza|date=2025-02-06 |access-date=2025-07-25}}</ref>
Funding sources at various times included the Center for Strategic Research of Alexei Kudrin,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.rbc.ru/economics/11/10/2017/59dcd97f9a7947da7e8ca48f|title = Центр Кудрина раскрыл источники своего финансирования|trans-title = Kudrin's Center disclosed its funding sources|date = 2017-10-11|publisher = RBC|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Transparency International's international secretariat, the non-profit organization Relearn, and the Foundation for Democratic Development.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://ti-russia.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2022_ti_russia_annual_report_ru_.pdf|title = Отчёт о работе в 2022 году|trans-title = 2022 Annual Report|date = 2022|publisher = Transparency International Russia|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref>
== Activities == Initially, representatives of the authorities invited members of TI–Russia as experts to governmental councils. For example, in 2012 the director of TI–Russia Elena Panfilova joined the Government Commission for the Coordination of the Open Government chaired by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://archive.government.ru/eng/gov/agencies/236/|title = Government Commission for the Coordination of the Open Government|date = 2012-09-12|publisher = Government of the Russian Federation|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> In 2013 she served as a member of the "Civil G20" in the federal Public Chamber.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://ria.ru/20130328/929495255.html|title = Эксперты в Москве обсудят антикоррупционные рекомендации лидерам G20|trans-title = Experts in Moscow to discuss anti-corruption recommendations for G20 leaders|date = 2013-03-28|publisher = Rossiya Segodnya|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> In the early 2010s TI–Russia represented Russian civil society at international anti-corruption summits.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.rfi.fr/ru/rossiya/20130319-elena-panfilova-v-rossii-predprinimateli-poka-ne-vidyat-rezultaty-borby-s-korruptsi|title = Елена Панфилова: «В России предприниматели пока не видят результатов борьбы с коррупцией»|trans-title = Elena Panfilova: "In Russia, entrepreneurs still do not see results in the fight against corruption"|date = 2013-03-19|publisher = RFI|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Since 2013 activists noted that repression against civil society in Russia made anti-corruption work more difficult.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/dec/11/uk-controls-wealth-transparency-international-russia|title = UK 'should tighten controls on those with dubious sources of wealth'|date = 2013-12-11|publisher = Guardian News |accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> During this period, the organization's investigations prompted politicians to appeal to the Prosecutor’s Office and the FSB to demand probes into the NGO's activities.<ref name = riapoklonskaja/><ref name=rferl/>
One of Transparency International's methods to fight corruption was conducting investigations. Over the years it released reports on non-transparent {{ill|Presidential Grants Foundation (Russia)|lt=presidential grants|ru|Фонд президентских грантов}} for NGOs,<ref name=bearr/> hidden financing of Russian political parties,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://ria.ru/20171116/1508989547.html|title = Депутат Госдумы назвал доклад TI реакцией на закон о финансировании СМИ|trans-title = State Duma deputy called TI's report a reaction to the law on media funding|date = 2017-11-16|publisher = RIA Novosti|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> violations in public procurement during emergencies,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-45913771|title = Борьба с шелкопрядом и разгон облаков: как власти тратят деньги в "чрезвычайных ситуациях"|trans-title = Fighting the silkworm and dispersing clouds: how authorities spend money in "emergencies"|date = 2018-10-19|publisher = BBC|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> and a 15% increase in retail milk prices attributed to bribes and kickbacks.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://republic.ru/posts/22007|title = «Трансперенси»: коррупция съедает 15% молока|trans-title = "Transparency": corruption eats up 15% of milk|date = 2012-04-10|publisher = Republic|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Based on its investigations, TI–Russia often appealed to the antimonopoly service and the prosecutor's office; however, the results of those inspections were in most cases unclear.<ref name=rsc/> In 2016—2017, TI–Russia published an investigation into a luxury residential complex built on land of the Saint Petersburg Mining University. The university's rector and scientific adviser to Vladimir Putin, Vladimir Litvinenko, who handled the real-estate transactions, filed a defamation suit that the court upheld.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.dw.com/ru/%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%B8-%D0%B2%D1%8B%D0%BF%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%82-%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BE%D0%BD-%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B9-%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%83-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE-%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%81%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B0/a-46142061|title = "Трансперенси" выплатит миллион рублей другу Путина|trans-title = "Transparency" will pay one million rubles to Putin's associate|date = 2018-11-13|publisher = Deutsche Welle|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref>
To collect and analyze data on the income and property of deputies, officials, judges and other public servants, Transparency International Russia launched the Deklarator project in 2011, which later became independent. By 2018 it had become the largest archive of declarations in Russia and included data on more than 56,000 officials.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://te-st.org/2018/05/29/project-declarator-opened-the-api/|title = Проект «Декларатор» открыл API|trans-title = The "Deklarator" project opened its API|date = 2018-05-29|publisher = Teplitsa of Social Technologies|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Over the years, TI–Russia activists reported undeclared real estate owned by State Duma deputy Natalia Poklonskaya and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who disputed this information.<ref name = riapoklonskaja>{{cite web|url =https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-40191675|title =Поклонская пригрозила Transparency International уголовными делами|trans-title =Poklonskaya threatened Transparency International with criminal cases|date = 2017-07-17|publisher =BBC|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.bbc.com/russian/news/2016/04/160412_rogozin_apartment_comment |title =Рогозин назвал бредом данные о стоимости его квартиры |trans-title = Rogozin called the data on the cost of his apartment 'nonsense'.|date = 2016-03-12|publisher = BBC|accessdate = 2025-09-11}}</ref>
Transparency International Russia also prepared rankings assessing the effectiveness of corporate anti-corruption programs.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2018/04/there-are-good-things-happening-at-some-russian-co|title = There Are Good Things Happening at Some Russian Companies|date = 2018-04-17|publisher = Holland & Knight|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Its reports on corruption were used by foreign politicians and international organizations.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/country-information/rir/Pages/index.aspx?doc=451410|title = Russia: Extent of corruption and government efforts to combat corruption, including anti-corruption legislation (2005 - June 2007)|date = 2007|publisher = Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Activists cooperated with the Joint Research Centre, the Romanian Academic Society, and with the Higher School of Economics, where they created a project-based training laboratory for anti-corruption policy. They provided support to other civic NGOs and served as media experts.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.againstcorruption.eu/countries/russian-federation/page/3/?post_type|title = Country: Russia|date = 2023|publisher = European Research Centre for Anti-corruption and State-Building|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://kgd.ru/news/society/item/29715-kommersant-mjer-kaliningrada-skryval-villu-v-kannah-s-pomoshhyu-lazeek-v-zakonodatelstve|title = «Коммерсантъ»: Мэр Калининграда скрывал виллу в Каннах с помощью лазеек в законодательстве|trans-title = "Kommersant": The Mayor of Kaliningrad hid a villa in Cannes using legal loopholes|date = 2013-08-21|publisher = Information and Analytics Portal of Kaliningrad|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://lap.hse.ru/|title = Проектно-учебная лаборатория антикоррупционной политики|trans-title = Project and Training Laboratory for Anti-Corruption Policy|date = 2024|publisher = Higher School of Economics|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref>
In addition, the organization educated the public about anti-corruption measures. In 2009 Transparency International Russia launched on its website the 'Anti-Corruption First Aid' and the ''Anti-Corruption Journal'', which offered citizens help in drafting complaints against corrupt officials. Activists held forums, lectures and social campaigns.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://en.transparency.kg/news/2/4.html|title = Антикоррупционный форум во Владимере|trans-title = Anti-Corruption Forum in Vladimir|date = 2014-05-08|publisher = Transparency International – Kyrgyzstan|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref><ref name=kommersantlekcii/><ref>{{cite web|url = https://zekovnet.ru/antikorruptsionnaya-priemnaya-transper/|title = Антикоррупционная приемная "Трансперенси Интернешнл — Россия" теперь 24 часа online|trans-title = Transparency International Russia's anti-corruption reception is now 24 hours online|date = 2023|publisher = Rus Sidyashchaya|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> For example, in 2011, together with the International Youth Human Rights Movement, they conducted the campaign "Five Simple and Clear Amendments for the Police," which promoted straightforward changes to the "On Police" law to increase transparency in police work. One of the amendments adopted into the law was the mandatory wearing of a badge with the officer's photo and details.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.svoboda.org/a/2323037.html|title = 1 марта в России вступает в силу новый "Закон о полиции"|trans-title = On March 1 a new "Law on Police" enters into force in Russia|date = 2011-02-26|publisher = Radio Svoboda|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://article20.org/news_old/obshhestvennye-aktivisty-i-jeksperty-o-dne-proverki-dokumentov-sotrudnikov-policii-video/|title = Общественные активисты и эксперты о Дне проверки документов сотрудников полиции +видео|trans-title = Civic activists and experts on the Day of Checking Police Officers’ Documents +video|date = 2012-04-20|publisher = Article20|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Later, activists held the "Day of Checking Documents," verifying that on-duty police officers wore their chest badges.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2012/04/22/55956-v-moskve-sostoyalsya-171-den-proverki-dokumentov-187-grazhdane-proveryali-u-politseyskih-nagrudnye-znaki-foto-video|title = В Москве состоялся «День проверки документов»: граждане проверяли у полицейских нагрудные знаки (ФОТО, ВИДЕО)|trans-title = "Day of Checking Documents" held in Moscow: citizens checked police officers’ breast badges (PHOTOS, VIDEO)|date = 2012-04-22|publisher = Novaya Gazeta|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> In addition, TI–Russia ran the campaign "Corruption Kills," which drew public attention to deaths caused by officials' negligence.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.bbc.com/russian/russia/2009/12/091209_transparency_russia|title = Transparency зовет россиян на борьбу с коррупцией|trans-title = Transparency calls on Russians to fight corruption|date = 2009-12-09|publisher = BBC|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> In October 2014 activists published a brochure on drafting and implementing codes of ethics for NGOs.<ref name=bearr>{{cite web|url = https://bearr.org/regional-news/transparency-international-russia-ideas-on-transparency-in-state-funding-of-ngos/?lang=ru|title = Transparency International Russia ideas on transparency in state funding of NGOs|date = 2015|publisher = The BEARR Trust|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Together with ''Republic.ru'' they released the podcast "Is It Legal?" which in 2020 was included among the best in the "Blagosfera" ranking.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://asi.org.ru/news/2020/06/04/blagosfera-nko-chart-podkasty/|title = «Благосфера» выбрала лучшие подкасты российских НКО|trans-title = "Blagosfera" selected the best podcasts of Russian NGOs|date = 2020-06-04|publisher = ASI|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref>
== Leadership == The General directors of Transparency International Russia were: * Elena Panfilova (1999—2014) * Anton Pominov (2014—2021) * Ilia Shumanov (2021—2025) * Alena Vandysheva (since 2025)
== Persecution and work in exile == In early 2015, the Russian Prosecutor's Office began inspections of a number of human rights NGOs, including the Moscow Helsinki Group, the Civic Assistance Committee, and Transparency International Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.currenttime.tv/a/26822187.html|title = В Transparency и "Гражданское содействие" пришли с проверками|trans-title = Inspections carried out at Transparency and "Civic Assistance"|date = 2015-02-01|publisher = Current Time TV|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> As a result, TI–Russia was asked to enter the register of foreign agents. Elena Panfilova called the decision "ridiculous", since "de facto events devoted to implementing the national anti-corruption plan were deemed political."<ref>{{cite web|url = https://meduza.io/news/2015/02/13/prokuratura-obnaruzhila-u-transparency-international-priznaki-inostrannogo-agenta|title = Прокуратура обнаружила у Transparency International признаки «иностранного агента»|trans-title = Prosecutor’s Office found "foreign agent" signs at Transparency International|date = 2015-02-13|publisher = Meduza|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref>
In April 2015, Transparency International Russia was included in the foreign-agents register.<ref name=rbk1/> The organization appealed this decision, insisting that it did not engage in political activity but in "anti-corruption education," but the court dismissed the appeal.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.forbes.ru/news/286707-sud-otklonil-zhalobu-transparency-international-na-priznanie-inostrannym-agentom|title = Суд отклонил жалобу Transparency International на признание иностранным агентом|trans-title = Court dismissed Transparency International's appeal against foreign agent designation|date = 2015-04-21|publisher = Forbes|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Some deputies claimed that the work of TI–Russia posed "a threat to Russia's defense capability, security, and public order."<ref name=rferl>{{cite web|url = https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-lawmakers-target-transparency-international-corruption-watchdog/28504550.html|title = Russian Lawmakers Target Anticorruption Group Transparency International|date = 2017-05-23|publisher = Radio Free Europe|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref>
Staff said that the center's work had become practically impossible,<ref name=meduza1/> but they continued educational initiatives, supported people in court cases on corruption in local government, and carried out journalistic investigations into complex money-laundering schemes, transnational corruption, and illicit financial flows.<ref name=ejo>{{cite web|url = https://en.ejo.ch/media-politics/interview-the-exiles-fighting-for-transparency-and-an-end-to-corruption-in-russia|title = Interview: The exiles fighting for transparency and an end to corruption in Russia|date = 2023-12-14|publisher = European Journalism Observatory|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Police repeatedly came to activists' lectures, detaining them over false reports of terrorism or over violations of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.<ref name="interfax" /><ref name=kommersantlekcii>{{cite web|url = https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4449283|title = Во Владимире на лекцию главы уральского отделения Transparency International пришла полиция|trans-title = Police came to a lecture by the head of Transparency International's Urals branch in Vladimir|date = 2020-08-09|publisher = Kommersant|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref>
In the autumn of 2022, the organization's head Ilia Shumanov was declared a foreign agent.<ref name=rbk1/> In July and August 2023 the Basmanny District Court of Moscow twice held him administratively liable for failure to apply the "foreign agent" label. In August 2024 the Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case against him for "failure to fulfill foreign agent obligations," which carried up to two years in prison.<ref name=шуманов-розыск /><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.fidh.org/en/issues/human-rights-defenders/russia-opening-of-criminal-proceedings-against-human-rights-defender|title = Russia: Opening of criminal proceedings against human rights defender Ilya Shumanov|date = 2024-10-04|publisher = International Federation for Human Rights|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref>
In March 2023, the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation designated the international movement Transparency International as an ''undesirable organization''.<ref name=VOA1 /> The agency treated as political activity the activists' proposals to introduce criminal liability for illicit enrichment, to abolish the foreign-agent status for NGOs, and to end excessive regulation of the media.<ref name=rbk1>{{cite web|url = https://www.rbc.ru/politics/30/09/2023/6517e1869a79471d9c07fd58|title = Минюст исключил из иноагентов Transparency International Russia|trans-title = Justice Ministry removed Transparency International Russia from the foreign agents list|date = 2023-09-30|publisher = RBC|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> Russian law provides criminal liability for cooperation with undesirable organizations. Fearing persecution by the authorities, the leadership of the Russian chapter of Transparency International decided to close the legal entity in Russia.<ref name=VOA1 /> In late September 2024, the Ministry of Justice removed Transparency International Russia from the list of foreign agents due to the liquidation of the legal entity.<ref name=ovdiskluchil/>
In October 2023, 'Transparency International Russia in exile' ({{lang|ru|Трансперенси Интернешнл — Россия в изгнании}}) began operations. The leadership stated that it would continue civic resistance to corruption in Russia. Data on the team are not disclosed for security reasons, but it is known that the chapter was headed by Ilia Shumanov.<ref name=VOA1 >{{cite web|url = https://www.golosameriki.com/a/transparency-international-in-exile/7296066.html|title = За рубежом учреждена «Трансперенси Интернешнл – Россия в изгнании»|trans-title = "Transparency International Russia in exile" established abroad|date = 2023-10-04 |publisher = Voice of America|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref>
The new team's goal was to investigate cross-border money-laundering schemes and corruption linked to the Russia's invasion of Ukraine.<ref name=VOA1 /> Together with ''Novaya Gazeta'' it published investigations about the nationalization of around 180 private companies over the two years since the start of the war, the links between the deaths of top Gazprom managers and money laundering,<ref name=ejo/><ref>{{cite web|url = https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2024/03/12/war-and-fleece-en|title = War and fleece|date = 2024-03-13|publisher = Novaya Gazeta Europe|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> and cases of trade-based money laundering from Russia to the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://www.graces.community/post/ten-years-of-uk-russian-trade-based-money-laundering|title = Ten Years Of Uk-Russian Trade-Based Money Laundering|date = 2024-01-04|publisher = Graces Community|accessdate = 2024-12-23}}</ref> The organization's experts condemned the ongoing militarization and human-rights violations in Russia.<ref name=VOA1 />
On 27 December 2024, the Russian Ministry of Justice designated 'Transparency International Russia in exile' as a "foreign agent."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/transperensi-i-ligalajz-obavleny-v-rossii-inostrannymi-agentami/a-71172587|title="Трансперенси" и Лигалайз объявлены в России "иноагентами"|trans-title="Transparency" and Legalize declared "foreign agents" in Russia|language=ru|website=dw.com|access-date=2024-12-27}}</ref> In response, the organization stated that its work would continue unchanged in a safe jurisdiction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ti-russia.org/blog/ne-trogaj-eto-na-novyj-god/|title=TI-Russia {{!}} Не трогай, это на Новый Год|trans-title=TI-Russia {{!}} Don't touch it, it's for New Year|language=RU-ru|last=Press Service of "TI–Russia"|website=TI-Russia|date=2024-12-27|access-date=2024-12-27}}</ref>
== See also == * Anti-Corruption Foundation * United Nations Convention against Corruption * Asset declaration
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == * [https://ti-russia.org Official Website: Transparency International Russia in exile]
Category:1999 establishments in Russia Category:Non-profit organizations based in Russia Category:Transparency International Russia Category:Non-profit organizations listed in Russia as foreign agents Category:Anti-corruption organizations