Russia labels ex-PM Kasyanov 'foreign agent'

Russian ex-prime minister and now Kremlin critic Mikhail Kasyanov was added to a registry of foreign agents, Russia's Justice Ministry said late on Friday.

The "foreign agent" designation requires people and entities on the list to place a disclaimer on items they publish and imposes strict financial reporting and self-disclosure requirements.

Kasyanov first made his name as a foreign debt expert, rising swiftly through the finance ministry in the 1990s. As finance minister, he led negotiations to restructure massive Soviet-era commercial debts, securing a large discount and a reputation as a suave but tough negotiator.

He served as prime minister for the first four years of Putin's administration and was sacked in February 2004, weeks before Putin was elected to a second term.

After his resignation, he went into opposition to the Kremlin. In 2022, he left the country and criticised Russia's invasion of Ukraine.