Overview
- The Moscow Prosecutor's Office added Human Rights Watch to Russia's list of 'undesirable organizations' and ordered the group to halt activities in the country.
- Under the designation, people who collaborate with or donate to the group in Russia can face criminal prosecution.
- The Kremlin offered no explanation for the decision announced on Friday.
- Human Rights Watch leaders said they will intensify efforts to document the Kremlin's crackdown and alleged crimes by Russian forces in Ukraine.
- Prosecutors also initiated steps to label Pussy Riot an extremist organization, as the roster of banned entities established since 2015 has surpassed 275, including Amnesty International, Transparency International and WWF.