Russian authorities added LGBTQ+ human rights defenders NC SOS Crisis Group to the country’s controversial ‘foreign agents’ registry. The group was put on the list on Friday (5 May) along with the chair of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, Maria Pevchikh, and her associate Georgy Alburov. NC SOS Crisis Group was designated ‘foreign agents’ by the Russian Ministry of Justice for allegedly carrying out “activities to promote LGBT relations, which is contrary to state policy to preserve and strengthen traditional Russian spiritual and moral values”, according to a press release from the group. The organisation is a human rights project that helps LGBTQ+ people and their families who face harassment and pursuit from law enforcement in the North Caucasus region of Russia. NC SOS Crisis Group said the situation in the North Caucus is “especially difficult for women, LGBTQ+ people and anyone who disagrees with the authorities”.