Russia’s Supreme Court recently but officially designated the so-called “International Satanist Movement” as an extremist organization and banned its activities across the country with immediate effect.
Under Russia’s extremism laws, those found organizing a banned extremist organization can face up to 10 years in prison, while participation is punishable by up to six years. Recruiting others into such an organization carries a maximum sentence of eight years.
The ruling was issued after Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office and the Justice Ministry petitioned the court to classify the movement as extremist. These groups reportedly promoted hatred toward traditional religions and have linked it to violent crimes and attacks on religious sites.
Legal experts and rights advocates on X have raised concerns that the ruling could affect people expressing unconventional beliefs, engaging with occult themes, sharing symbolic imagery, or participating in alternative subcultures, even if they have no connection to criminal activity.
The Russian government maintains that the ban is aimed at protecting public order, national security, and social stability by combating extremist ideology they consider dangerous.
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