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Pussy Riot activist Rita Flores claims forced cooperation with FSB
Rita Flores, a 29-year-old activist associated with the Pussy Riot collective, has revealed that she was coerced into working for the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) for three years.
Flores, also known by her legal name Margarita Konovalova, stated that the recruitment began in February 2023 following a police search of her home. She alleges that FSB agents used threats of criminal prosecution regarding her social media posts about the war in Ukraine, as well as threats against the life of her mother, to force her cooperation. In exchange for her services, she reportedly received a one-time payment of 30,000 to 40,000 rubles.
During her period of forced cooperation, Flores was tasked with gathering intelligence on other artists and members of the Russian opposition. She claims she attempted to sabotage these missions by informing approximately 20 people of her situation and avoiding the collection of useful intelligence. She also alleged that she was involved in discussions regarding a potential operation to kidnap and kill opposition figure Pyotr Verzilov.
Entities
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The FSB recruitment began in February 2023 following a police search of her residence. wojna.co.pl · www.rmf24.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] Rita Flores claims she was forced to cooperate with the FSB for three years. wojna.co.pl · www.rmf24.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] Agents threatened to kill Flores' mother to compel her cooperation. wojna.co.pl · www.rmf24.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] FSB agents threatened Flores with criminal prosecution over an Instagram post regarding Russian crimes in Ukraine. wojna.co.pl · www.rmf24.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] Her tasks included gathering information on other artists and opposition activists. wojna.co.pl · www.rmf24.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] Flores received a one-time payment of 30,000 to 40,000 rubles for her cooperation. wojna.co.pl · www.rmf24.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Flores was allegedly tasked with participating in preparations for the kidnapping and murder of opposition figure Pyotr Verzilov. wojna.co.pl