Russia’s Supreme Court Brands Memorial ‘Extremist’

Overview

• Russia’s top court designated the International Public Movement Memorial an extremist organization after a single closed hearing with the case file labeled top secret.
• The ruling bans the group’s activities in Russia and puts participants, donors, and people who share its materials at risk of criminal charges carrying up to 12 years in prison.
• Authorities can also ban the group’s symbols and freeze bank accounts by placing suspected supporters on a national extremist list.
• Memorial, a 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for documenting Soviet-era repression and current political prisoners, called the decision unlawful and said its projects would continue.
• Poland condemned the move and, citing searches at Novaya Gazeta and long sentences for six Vesna activists the same week, urged Russia to end politically driven prosecutions and free political prisoners.