The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has declared the activities of the Lithuania-based Free Russia Forum as undesirable within the territory of Russia, according to the statement on the prosecution service's website.
It states that the activities of the Free Russia Forum “pose a threat to the constitutional order and security of the Russian Federation” and cites it as the reason why the decision was made “to declare the activities of the Lithuanian organisation undesirable within the territory of the Russian Federation”.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis commented that Vilnius would continue to offer shelter to persecuted Russian organisations.
“It’s not the first organization or person granted asylum and the right to reside in Lithuania to be declared enemies or criminals in Russia. We have seen this trend and it does not change our position in any way. Quite the contrary, it further encourages us to help those people who chose Lithuania and asked for asylum here to be able to work and live freely without restrictions,” Landsbergis told reporters on Wednesday before a cabinet meeting.
The Free Russia Forum holds a biannual Russian opposition conference in Vilnius. The organisation was founded in March 2016 by Garry Kasparov who is recognised as a “foreign agent” in Russia.
The Russian authorities have launched an unprecedented crackdown on media and opposition organisations.
Russia adopted the law on “undesirable organisations” in 2015, giving the Prosecutor General’s Office the right to label any foreign or international NGO if, in its opinion, the activities of these organisations threaten “the foundations of Russia’s constitutional order, defence capabilities or security”.
People face liability, and prosecution in some cases, for any involvement in and cooperation with the undesirable organisations.
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