According to the agency, Yale 'justifies the funds allocated for discrediting the state authorities of Russia', noting that 'the university hosts a School of International Relations, where students are trained for 'global leadership' under a scholarship program, but in fact — training opposition leaders of foreign states'.
'Among the Russian graduates of the program are leaders and activists of the extremist organization 'Anti-Corruption Foundation', who used the knowledge and technologies acquired at the school to escalate protest activity in the Russian Federation', — reported the Prosecutor General's Office.
In 2010, Alexei Navalny** studied at Yale, and in 2018 — his associate Leonid Volkov*** (both under the Yale World Fellows program).
The register of 'undesirable' organizations has been maintained in Russia since 2015. Foreign or international organizations that, according to 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 operating in the country.
Participation in the activities of an 'undesirable organization' is punishable by administrative liability in the form of a fine from 5000 to 15000 rubles. In case of repeated violation within a year after the first fine for participating in the activities of an 'undesirable' organization, criminal liability ensues, 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 an 'extremist' organization.
** Included in the register of 'terrorists and extremists'.
*** Included in the register of 'terrorists and extremists', recognized as a 'foreign agent'.