The Prosecutor General's Office has declared the non-governmental organization Dekoder — gGmbH (Dekoder — gGesselschaft mbH, Dekoder) — an online platform dedicated to discussing public life in Europe, Belarus and Russia — "undesirable." This is stated on the agency's website.
"Dekoder — gGmbH, in fact, publishes materials that contradict common sense, accusing the Russian leadership of "distorting history, totalitarianism and expansion," the prosecutor's office writes. According to the Russian authorities, they publish "unsubstantiated articles of an indictment" about Russian politics and information that discredits the Russian army. In addition, the platform's partners, the prosecutor's office notes, are "foreign agents" and "undesirable organizations."
Dekoder materials are published in German and Russian .
- Since 2015, according to Russian law , 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 operating in the country, and a number of other restrictions are imposed on them — for example, they are not allowed to distribute information materials in Russia. The decision to recognize is made by the Prosecutor General’s Office in agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. More information about which organizations have been added to the list can be found in the OVD-Info project “ Inoteka .”
- Participation in the activities of an "undesirable organization" is subject to administrative liability (Article 20.33 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, the maximum penalty is a fine of up to 15 thousand rubles for citizens), and in case of repeated participation, criminal liability (Part 1 of Article 284.1 of the Criminal Code, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for up to four years). Article 284.1 is also applied for financing or organizing the activities of an "undesirable organization", in which case the punishment may be up to five and up to six years of imprisonment, respectively.