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Russian authorities declare Free Russia Forum ‘undesirable’ organization

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has designated the Free Russia Forum, a biannual conference for Russian opposition politicians and analysts held in Vilnius, as an “undesirable” organization. According to Russian authorities, the forum poses a threat to Russia’s “constitutional order and safety.”

The Free Russia Forum was first organized in 2016 by chess champion and opposition figure Garry Kasparov and Solidarity former executive director Ivan Tyutrin.

“Undesirable organizations” are banned from operating on Russian territory under threat of felony prosecution. Meduza, the news outlet you’re reading right now, earned the designation on January 26.