Russian lawmakers submit bill to allow suspension of bans on terrorist groups, paving way for Taliban removal from terrorist registry

A group of Russian lawmakers has submitted a draft bill to the State Duma that would allow for the suspension of bans on organizations designated as terrorist in Russia.

The explanatory note states that while the federal law “On countering terrorism” provides for banning such organizations and adding them to the terrorist registry, it lacks a mechanism to lift the ban if an organization ceases activities “aimed at promoting, justifying, or supporting terrorism or committing such crimes.”

The proposed amendments would enable a court to remove an organization from the terrorist registry based on a petition from the Prosecutor General or their deputy, provided sufficient “relevant information” supports the decision.

Political analyst Pavel Sklyanchuk noted that this legislation could pave the way for removing the Taliban from the terrorist registry.