The Russian branch of Greenpeace, after the decision of the Prosecutor General's Office to recognize the organization as «undesirable», announced the closure.
“We strongly disagree with the decision of the Prosecutor General's Office. This decision makes it illegal for any Greenpeace activity to continue in Russia. Therefore, the Russian branch of Greenpeace is forced to close,” the message says.
Today, May 19, the Prosecutor General's Office recognized Greenpeace as an «undesirable organization» in Russia. According to the department, environmentalists made «attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of the country», financially supported «foreign agents» and engaged in «anti-Russian propaganda».
“The fund’s efforts are aimed at destabilizing the socio-political situation and attempting to change power in the country by unconstitutional means,” the Prosecutor General’s Office added.
Greenpeace insists that the decision to recognize them as an «undesirable organization» is due to the fact that environmentalists «tried to prevent destructive plans for nature from being carried out.» In particular, thanks to their work, virgin forests in Komi, Lake Baikal and Kamchatka volcanoes received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.