Russia declares Transparency International "undesirable"

The Russian government pressed its crackdown against critical voices on Monday by branding the global anti-corruption group Transparency International as undesirable, effectively banning it from operating in the country.The Russian prosecutors office charged that while formally acting as an organisation fighting corruption around the world, it interferes in the internal affairs of the Russian Federation, which poses a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order and the security of the Russian Federation. Transparency International made no immediate comment.

The Russian government pressed its crackdown against critical voices on Monday by branding the global anti-corruption group Transparency International as “undesirable,” effectively banning it from operating in the country.

The Russian prosecutor's office charged that while “formally acting as an organisation fighting corruption around the world, it interferes in the internal affairs of the Russian Federation, which poses a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order and the security of the Russian Federation.” Transparency International made no immediate comment. The Berlin-based group is best known for an annual index ranking countries, including Russia, on their degree of corruption.

Since launching its military operation in Ukraine last February, the Russian government has intensified its crackdown on dissent and toughened legislation to muzzle critical voices. The authorities have methodically targeted people and organisations critical of the Kremlin, branding many as “foreign agents'' and declaring some as “undesirable.”