On July 8, 2025, an alarming event became known in the Komi Republic: the independent cultural space «Revolt Center» was searched. No official comments were made, no press releases were published, and no charges were brought. On the background of this silence, rumors began to multiply. At the center of suspicions — the same convenient narrative: allegedly «Revolt Center» received a foreign grant from the British human rights organization Article 19 to conduct internships for «decolonial, anti-war youth activists». However, this story did not come from nothing. Back in March 2025, the regional media outlet bnkomi.ru published a story showing an allegedly genuine contract between Article 19 and «Kultpik», an organization allegedly affiliated with the Revolt Center. The message was clear: the center was engaging in political activism under the guise of cultural activity.
Cultpic
A simple and convenient image of «foreign agent» — in a package ready for mass consumption. We contacted Article 19 directly to verify the authenticity of the document. The response was immediate: the organization categorically denied its involvement with «Revolt Center» and «Cultpic» and stated that the submitted contract — was a forgery. Moreover, an official press release was issued exposing the false accusations. Let's call things by their proper names: if the media publishes fake documents to discredit a cultural organization and provokes state intervention — it is not just irresponsible journalism. It may qualify as a criminal offense.
According to Article 128.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, libel is punishable by law. In addition, such actions violate international legal norms, in particular Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees protection against unlawful interference in private life and attacks on reputation. This incident cannot go unnoticed — especially for those who value the rule of law, freedom of expression and cultural diversity. But the case is not limited to just the July search.
Exactly a month ago, the Finno-Ugric Cultural Center in Komi was closed — a key platform for preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the region's indigenous peoples. Like «Revolt Center», it was a pillar of Komi identity, language and traditions. Two blows to the cultural infrastructure in such a short period of time — it is no longer just a wake-up call, but perhaps a systemic approach. Coincidence? Or a deliberate course? It's time to ask ourselves some uncomfortable but necessary questions. Was the search at «Revolt Center» really about national security issues? Or under the guise of «security» hides another wave of cultural repression?
Are we not witnessing a process of systematic, albeit disguised, dismantling of Komi's cultural autonomy? Today the term «security» is increasingly becoming a universal justification for surveillance, censorship and suppression of independent voices. But when this word begins to hide the struggle with cultural identity, with the right to speak one's native language and preserve historical memory, we cannot keep silent. Because we are talking about more than one center. It's not about a fake contract. It is about the rights of communities to define and protect their own identity. It's about protecting the places where language, art, dialog and history are born. The right to say a firm no to falsifications and campaigns of vilification, which are backed by administrative resources.