- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Pussy Riot's Nadya Tolokonnikova Added to Russia's Wanted List
The punk artist was indicted after an investigation by Russia's Investigative Committee.
Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:20pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Pussy Riot's Nadya Tolokonnikova remains undeterred in her fight against Russian state censorship, even as she faces new legal threats.Manhattan TodayNadya Tolokonnikova, a founding member of the Moscow feminist protest band Pussy Riot, was indicted and added to Russia's federal wanted list this week after an investigation by its Investigative Committee. Tolokonnikova was named a 'foreign agent' by the country's Ministry of Justice five years ago and is now being accused of violating the country's 'foreign agent law.' If arrested, Tolokonnikova could face up to two years in prison.
Why it matters
Pussy Riot has long used its platform to advocate against the censorial oppression of the Russian state. Tolokonnikova's indictment is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Russian government to silence dissent and restrict the activities of individuals and organizations deemed to be 'foreign agents.'
The details
Tolokonnikova was added to Russia's wanted list for the first time in 2023. In 2024, she was found guilty twice for violating foreign agent regulations, and later, outside Russia, she allegedly distributed unlabeled materials on a messaging platform. Tolokonnikova is no stranger to the state's wrath - in 2012, she was arrested for 'hooliganism' after she and her bandmate Maria Alyokhina put on a protest performance in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
- In 2023, Tolokonnikova was added to the country's wanted list for the first time.
- In 2024, she was found guilty twice for violating foreign agent regulations.
The players
Nadya Tolokonnikova
A founding member of the Moscow feminist protest band Pussy Riot, who was named a 'foreign agent' by Russia's Ministry of Justice in 2021 and is now being accused of violating the country's 'foreign agent law.'
Pussy Riot
A Moscow feminist protest band that has long used its platform to advocate against the censorial oppression of the Russian state.
Russia's Investigative Committee
The government agency that conducted the investigation leading to Tolokonnikova's indictment and addition to the federal wanted list.
Russia's Ministry of Justice
The government agency that named Tolokonnikova a 'foreign agent' in 2021.
What’s next
Tolokonnikova's representatives have stated that her indictment will not prevent her from protesting Russia's participation in the upcoming Venice Biennale, the annual international arts, culture, and architecture exhibition.
The takeaway
Tolokonnikova's indictment and addition to Russia's wanted list is the latest example of the Russian government's ongoing efforts to silence dissent and restrict the activities of individuals and organizations deemed to be 'foreign agents.' Despite the risks, Pussy Riot continues to use its platform to advocate for social and political change, underscoring the group's commitment to challenging the oppressive actions of the Russian state.
