The Prosecutor General's Office declared the activities of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA) 'undesirable' in Russia, the press service of the department reported.
The department claims that the organization 'has become a platform serving the interests of the USA and their allies', and its members 'advocate for increased sanctions pressure on Russia'.
IRFBA was created at the initiative of the US State Department in 2020. The alliance is a network joined by representatives from 38 countries. 'The Declaration of Principles of IRFBA is based on Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It states that everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, which includes the freedom to change religion, assemble for worship with others, or pray alone,' says the State Department's website.
Since 2015, foreign or international organizations can be declared 'undesirable' if, in the opinion of the authorities, they pose 'a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order of the Russian Federation, the country's defense capability, or state security'. Such organizations are prohibited from operating in the country.
Participation in the activities of an 'undesirable organization' is punishable by administrative liability in the form of a fine from 5,000 to 15,000 rubles. In the case of a repeated violation within a year after the first fine for participation in the activities of an 'undesirable' organization, criminal liability ensues, ranging from fines of 300 to 500 thousand rubles to imprisonment from one to four years. This also applies to participation in activities outside of Russia.