The charitable foundation “Russia Behind Bars” was founded by journalist Olga Romanova in Moscow in 2008 to help prisoners and their families. In Russia, the foundation is branded as a “foreign agent”. But in Germany in 2022, “Russia Behind Bars” received an honorary award – the Theodor Heuss Foundation medal (Stuttgart) – for its contribution to the development of democracy. In the same year, the non-profit organization “Russland hinter Gittern e.V.” was established in Berlin as a successor to the cause of “Russia Behind Bars” in Europe, i.a. to support anti-war activists who are being persecuted in Russia because of their stance and activities. Since April 2023, “Russland hinter Gittern e.V.” has been officially registered in Germany.