Russia labels Bellingcat ‘undesirable’
The controversial US-government funded organization has been banned by the prosecutor general’s office.
Russia’s prosecutor general’s office on Friday labeled the Western state funded Bellingcat investigative group, as well as two other non-profits, “undesirable organizations.” The designation, which is expected to be formalized by the country’s Justice Ministry shortly, effectively means a ban on operating in Russia. The prosecutors targeted both UK-based Bellingcat Ltd. and its Dutch branch Stichting Bellingcat. Latvia-registered media outlet The Insider and the Czechia-domiciled Central and Eastern European Law Initiative (CEELI) non-profit were also deemed “undesirable.” All of the organizations pose a threat to Russia’s “constitutional order and security,” the prosecutors claimed in a statement. The designation entails the mandatory closure of all local chapters and freezing of any assets held in Russia. Attempts to circumvent the ban carry administrative and criminal penalties.