The Ministry of Justice said it had identified 196 active participants in the “Memorial movement” (which was declared “extremist” in Russia)

At least 196 people are actively participating in the activities of the “International Memorial Movement,” declared “extremist,” the Russian Ministry of Justice said.

According to the department, these people “not only actively participate in the activities of the movement, but also receive funding, including from foreign organizations.”

• On April 9, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation declared the “international movement “Memorial”” an “extremist” organization. “Memorial’s activities are clearly anti-Russian in nature, aimed at destroying the fundamental foundations of Russian statehood, violating territorial integrity, and leveling historical, cultural, spiritual and moral values,” the Supreme Court explained its decision.
• There is no single “Memorial movement” - dozens of human rights organizations operate under this brand in different countries, often without any legal connection between them. The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation has previously declared non-existent organizations, such as the International LGBT Movement or the International Satanist Movement, to be “extremist.” This allowed the security forces to persecute activists as widely as possible.