In a significant escalation of its campaign against political opponents, Russia has officially designated an exiled group established by allies of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny as a terrorist organization.
Court Ruling Against Navalny's Organization
Russia's Supreme Court announced on Thursday that it had formally ruled to label the Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF) as a terrorist organization. The court claimed the organization, which is registered in the United States and operated by Navalny's former associates, was aimed at promoting, justifying, and supporting terrorism.
This decision represents the latest move in Moscow's aggressive targeting of opposition groups connected to Navalny, even after his death under unexplained circumstances in an Arctic prison in 2024. All major Russian opposition movements now operate from outside the country.
Navalny's Legacy and Kremlin Opposition
Alexei Navalny, a charismatic anti-corruption campaigner, was President Vladimir Putin's primary domestic rival. He consistently mobilized large crowds to protest against the Kremlin and faced repeated arrests and harassment from authorities throughout his political career.
The Anti-Corruption Foundation and other organizations associated with Navalny had previously been designated as extremist entities. This earlier label carried similar legal consequences, including the prohibition of their activities within Russia. The Kremlin frequently employs such designations to target political opponents, compelling them to either shut down operations or flee the country.
International Response and Foundation's Reaction
In direct response to the court's ruling, the Anti-Corruption Foundation issued a strong statement condemning the decision. They declared that the real terrorists are Vladimir Putin and his accomplices the people who started the war, kill civilians and political opponents, and imprison people.
The organization denounced the ruling as a political tactic designed specifically to suppress opposition voices. They further warned that other independent media outlets and human rights groups would likely face similar targeting in the near future.
Amnesty International had previously expressed concerns when the case was initially filed, warning that the decision could unleash a floodgate of mass reprisals against government critics.
Russia has dramatically intensified its efforts to silence critics since launching its offensive against Ukraine in February 2022. Navalny's allies maintain that unreleased laboratory tests indicate he was poisoned and killed in prison, a claim that Moscow vehemently denies.
