MOSCOW, Oct 29, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Russia on Friday declared Natayia Sindeyeva, head of the independent TV channel Dozhd, a "foreign agent" along with two journalist colleagues, in the latest crackdown on civil society.
 
   The names of Natalia Sindeeva, Vladimir Romensky and Ekaterina Kotrikadze appeared on the latest Russian justice ministry list of "foreign agents"
 
   They had been added because of their "political activities," the ministry said.
 
   Launched in 2008, TV Dozhd covered Russia's opposition and protest movements, and last year the channel itself was labelled a "foreign agent". All main independent media outlets in Russia including radio station, Echo of Moscow, and Dozhd TV have been shut down or have suspended their operations in the country.
 
   Dozhd wound up its Russia operations and suspended broadcasting from Russia with an emotional show on March 3, less than a fortnight after the conflict in Ukraine started.
 
   The channel resumed broadcasting in July 18 from studios in neighbouring Latvia.
 
   Also added to the "foreign agents" list Friday were lawyer Mikhail Benyash and Youtuber Ivan Yakovina.
 
   Since the start of the Ukraine conflict, Russia has introduced a law providing for up to 15 years in prison for spreading information about the military deemed false by the authorities.
 
   The Russian opposition has shrunk in recent months, most of its members in exile or jailed.