The Prosecutor General's Office recognized the "Temple of Satan" as undesirable

On February 8, 2024, DOXA was added to the register of “undesirable organizations.”

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The Prosecutor General's Office of Russia has recognized the new religious movement " Temple of Satan" English The Satanic Temple " "undesirable organization". The reason for banning the “Temple of Satan” was, among other things, “discrediting traditional spiritual and moral values” and negative statements about the invasion of Ukraine.

In addition, participants in the religious movement are allegedly promoting occult ideology and “with the support of US government agencies, they propagate destructive pseudo-theological ideas, and also justify violence against people.”

According to the prosecutor's office, the Satanic Temple actively supports participants in extremist and terrorist movements and calls for the overthrow of the constitutional order in Russia. Moreover, the website of the religious movement allegedly contains information about fundraising for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the same time, the Agency publication could not find any mention of the collection on the website of the religious movement.

The Satanic Temple was created in 2013 by graduates of Harvard University. The movement advocates the separation of church and state. In the USA, the movement has the status of a religious organization.

What is an “undesirable organization” and what are the risks of “participating in its activities”?

• The Prosecutor General’s Office may recognize a foreign legal entity as an “undesirable organization” if the agency decides that its activities threaten “the foundations of the constitutional order, defense capability or security of Russia.”

• Since 2015, such organizations have been recognized as Open Russia by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Prague Civic Center, publications Project, Important Stories, Meduza, The Insider and Bellingcat, Novaya Gazeta Europe, Dozhd, as well as the Crimean Human Rights Group, Greenpeace, Svobodnaya Foundation Buryatia" and more than a hundred legal entities.

• The status of “undesirability” provides responsibility for both the “organization” Article 284.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for the activities of the organization, and for “cooperation” Article 20.33 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation with it.

• What is possible? The law does not prohibit commenting, liking posts, and subscribing to social networks of “undesirable organizations.”

  What is not allowed? Links to materials, quotes, reposts, as well as demonstration of symbols and participation in events for the first violation imply administrative liability. In case of repeated violation, criminal proceedings may be initiated.

  Under an administrative clause, you can get off with a fine: for individuals - up to 15 thousand rubles; for officials - up to 50 thousand rubles; for legal entities - up to 100 thousand rubles.

• What could be very dangerous? Financial support, as well as “calls” to donate to “undesirables” imply criminal liability. The maximum punishment under this article is four years in prison , but they can also be sentenced to compulsory labor, restriction of freedom, or a fine of up to 500 thousand rubles.

• Who is being prosecuted under a criminal article for “organizing” the activities of an “undesirable organization”?

  1. Activist Anastasia Shevchenko was the first in Russia to be charged with “carrying out the activities of an undesirable foreign organization” for her connections with Open Russia; she spent two years under house arrest, and was then sentenced to four years probation.
  2. The former head of Open Russia, Andrei Pivovarov, was sentenced to the maximum criminal penalty - four years in prison; other employees of this organization were also subjected to repression.
  3. Three years out of 25 years of imprisonment for oppositionist Vladimir Kara-Murza were imposed under Article 284.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
  4. Co-chairman of the "Voice" movement Grigory Melkonyants is in pre-trial detention center on charges of "organization" Part 3 of Article 284.1 of the Criminal Code of the activities of an “undesirable organization”, more than ten ex-employees of Golos were searched in connection with this case.
  5. The editor-in-chief of KozaPress set herself on fire after searches in her house related to the case of Nizhny Novgorod businessman and Pastafarian Mikhail Iosilevich.