MOSCOW — The Russian department of the environmental group Greenpeace on Friday introduced it might shut after the authorities declared Greenpeace International to be an undesirable group.

A press release from the nationwide prosecutor-general’s workplace mentioned it had decided that Greenpeace posed “a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order and security of the Russian Federation” and pointed specifically to the battle in Ukraine.

“Since the beginning of the special military operation of the Russian Federation to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine, Greenpeace activists have been engaged in anti-Russian propaganda, calling for further economic isolation of our country and tougher sanctions,” it mentioned.

But Greenpeace’s Russian workplace mentioned, “We are certain that the declaration of Greenpeace International as an undesirable group is due exactly to the truth that we tried to stop the implementation of plans which might be damaging to nature and in lots of instances did it efficiently.

“This decision makes it illegal for any Greenpeace activity to continue in Russia. Therefore, the Russian branch of Greenpeace is forced to close,” it mentioned on its web site.

Amsterdam-based Greenpeace International mentioned it had no rapid remark. Since launching the Ukraine operation in February 2022, the Russian authorities has intensified its crackdown on dissent and toughened laws in opposition to critics.

The authorities have methodically focused individuals and organizations important of the Kremlin, branding many as “foreign agents”, declaring some as “undesirable” and prosecuting these discovered to have discredited the army.

The dissident former mayor of Russia’s fourth-largest metropolis was discovered responsible Friday of such discrediting, however averted a jail sentence.

Yevgeny Roizman, 60, a pointy critic of the Kremlin, is likely one of the most seen and charismatic opposition figures in Russia. He loved broad reputation whereas serving as mayor of Yekaterinburg, a metropolis of 1.5 million individuals within the Ural Mountains.

Roizman, who was mayor from 2013 to 2018, was arrested final August on prices of discrediting the Russian army, beneath a brand new legislation adopted after Moscow despatched troops into Ukraine. Prosecutors on the time singled out a video broadcast Roizman made in July 2022 during which he criticized Russia’s intervention.

Last yr, Russian courts repeatedly fined Roizman on related prices in an administrative court docket. Under the legislation, repeat offenses will be tried in a prison court docket.

While the cost of discrediting the Russian army might carry a jail sentence, a Yekaterinburg court docket on Friday as an alternative fined Roizman 260,000 rubles ($3250), in step with a request made the day earlier than by the prosecution.

The ex-mayor advised reporters Friday that he didn’t plan to enchantment the decision, which he described as “an acquittal in the current conditions.”

Russian courts have repeatedly handed out fines and, sometimes, jail phrases for public criticism of Moscow’s actions in Ukraine.

A high opposition determine, Vladimir Kara-Murza, was convicted final month of treason and sentenced to 25 years in jail over public speeches in opposition to the army operation. Human rights organizations and Western governments denounced the decision and demanded Kara-Murza’s launch. Amnesty International declared the 41-year-old to be a prisoner of conscience.

Another distinguished Kremlin critic, Ilya Yashin, was sentenced final yr to eight and a half years in jail on prices of spreading false details about the army.

In March, a Russian court docket additionally convicted a father over social media posts important of the army operation and sentenced him to 2 years in jail. His 13-year-old daughter, who drew a sketch in school expressing misery over Moscow’s actions, was despatched to an orphanage earlier than being taken to reside along with her estranged mom.

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