Amalia Zatari & Dr. Arkhipova

As a journalist for BBC Russia, Amaliya Zatari played a crucial role in exposing the real identity of a pro-Kremlin informant who used a fake name to target Russian academics and exiles critical of the war in Ukraine. Working alongside Dr. Alexandra Arkhipova — the anthropologist who first uncovered the informant’s activities — Zatari’s investigation revealed how this individual’s online denunciations led to scholars and activists being labeled as “foreign agents,” a designation that carries severe legal and social consequences in Russia.

The investigation not only identified the man behind the account but also highlighted a disturbing pattern: the use of anonymous informants to silence dissent under Russia’s increasingly repressive laws. The case resonated far beyond the individuals directly affected, acting as a stark example of how digital platforms can be weaponized against those who challenge state narratives.

For Amalia, this investigation was more than just breaking a story — it was about exposing the mechanics of repression in modern Russia. Her work, carried out under significant personal risk, underscores the power of investigative journalism in uncovering truths that authoritarian regimes seek to keep hidden.