Overview
- Russia’s top court, ruling behind closed doors on Thursday, labeled the so‑called “international movement Memorial” extremist and ordered an immediate ban on its activity in the country.
- Experts warn the vague label lets authorities target anyone linked to Memorial, and past donations or old social‑media posts could be used as evidence in criminal cases.
- Memorial said it has halted all work inside Russia, has no staff or volunteers there, and will continue from exile using its digitized archives.
- Lawyers and selected defenders were kept out of the secret proceeding, and the group called the decision illegal and politically driven.
- The ban comes as pressure on independent media intensifies, with Moscow police searching the Novaya Gazeta newsroom the same day, according to local reports.