Illustrative photo from open sources
The Russian State Duma has adopted in the first reading a package of bills allowing foreign organizations whose founders or members are government agencies to be included in the register of “undesirable”. Currently, only non-governmental organizations can be included on the list, Radio Liberty reports.
The bills were submitted to the Duma in February. The authors are the Duma commission for the investigation of foreign interference in Russian affairs. The Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin explained the need to adopt the documents by the desire to protect citizens and stop organizations created by the United States, Britain and European countries and “conducting activities against Russia.”
The list of so-called undesirable organizations has existed in Russia since 2015. The authorities have added more than 160 NGOs, associations and media outlets to it, including the editorial office of Radio Liberty. Participation in the activities of undesirable organizations in Russia is subject to criminal liability.
Prepared by: Sergey Daga