The Prosecutor General's Office recognized the activities of the non-governmental organization Comunità dei Russi Liberi in Italy ('Community of Free Russians in Italy') as 'undesirable' in the Russian Federation, the agency's press service reported.
According to the Prosecutor General's Office, representatives of the movement 'actively retransmit the theses of Western propaganda regarding Russia', organize 'anti-Russian rallies and demonstrations', and also draw the attention of the Italian population 'to alleged systematic violations of the rights and freedoms of citizens in Russia'. The organization was also accused of spreading military 'fakes'.
'In social networks, community participants spread unreliable information about the Special Military Operation, destructive information regarding the leadership of the Russian Federation, as well as materials from foreign and international organizations whose activities are recognized as undesirable in the territory of the Russian Federation,' the agency stated. In addition, the organization was accused of cooperating with the Legion 'Freedom of Russia'*.
The register of 'undesirable' organizations has been maintained in Russia since 2015. Foreign or international organizations that, in the opinion of the authorities, pose a 'threat to the foundations of the constitutional order of the Russian Federation, the country's defense capability, or state security' can be recognized as 'undesirable'. Such organizations are prohibited from conducting activities on the territory of the country.
Participation in the activities of an 'undesirable organization' is punishable by administrative responsibility 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 arises, starting with fines from 300 to 500 thousand rubles to imprisonment from one year to four years. Moreover, this also applies to participation in activities outside of Russia.
* Recognized in Russia as a 'terrorist organization'.