Prosecutor's Office Launches Legal Action to Shut Down Memorial

11.11.2021

On 11 November 2021 at about 4:00 pm we were notified by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation that the Prosecutor's General office has filed a lawsuit requesting the International Memorial be closed down for alleged systematic violations of the 'foreign agents' act (reference being made to failure to append the 'foreign agent' disclaimer to this organisation's materials). The court hearing is scheduled to take place on 25 November.

We have repeatedly stated that the act in question has been introduced with the view to eradicating independent organisations and insisted that it should be revoked. However, while the law is still in force we are obliged to follow its requirements.

We believe that there are no legal grounds for the Memorial to be dismantled.

This is a political decision aimed at exterminating the Memorial Society, the organisation dealing with history of political repression and human rights defence.

International Memorial Board