Russian Attorney General outlaws Stockholm-based Russians Against War non-profit as ‘undesirable’

The Russian Attorney General’s Office has declared the Stockholm-based Russians Against War Committee an “undesirable organization,” making its activities illegal in Russia and subject to criminal prosecution. Under Russian law, collaborating with an “undesirable organization” may also lead to criminal charges.

The Russians Against War Committee (“Ryska Antikrigskommitteten i Sverige ‘Russians Against War’”) is a pacifist organization whose aim is to unite Russian speakers in Sweden and Russia in protest against “the war started by Putin and his circle.” The group came into existence in May. Its volunteers help displaced Ukrainian people in Russia and take part in anti-war protests. Last September, the organization participated in the Free Russia Forum held in Vilnius, Lithuania. Earlier this month, it also took part in the Antiwar Initiatives Congress in Berlin.

The prosecutors at the AG’s Office have supposedly determined that the Committee “presents a danger to Russia’s constitutional foundations and its state security.”

The decision has been passed to the Justice Ministry, which maintains a list of “undesirable organizations” banned from operating in Russia.