New Russian Law Accelerates Designation of Groups as Extremist with Minimal Oversight

Russian legislators have passed new laws that significantly simplify the process for labeling organizations as «extremist.»

The bill, which received approval from the lower house of Parliament, the State Duma, in its third and final reading, enables officials to designate an organization as extremist based solely on a single member’s conviction under Article 282.1 of the Criminal Code, which addresses the organization of extremist activities.

This new law removes the previous requirement for a separate court decision to ban or disband an organization before it can be classified as extremist.

These amendments, which modify several laws, including federal regulations on extremism and mass media, are part of a wider initiative by the Kremlin to strengthen its control over civil society.

Under the updated regulations, there is no longer a difference between registered entities and unofficial groups — both types can now be added to the blacklist if just one member is convicted under the extremism statute.

The federal registry will now be called the “list of organizations classified as extremist under Russian law.” Previously, only those organizations formally dissolved by a court could be included on this list.

Officials argue that these changes will make it easier to prevent potentially harmful groups from operating and will streamline enforcement procedures.

However, dissenters claim that the new legislation greatly diminishes judicial oversight and paves the way for widespread, unchecked repression of political and civic activities.

Lawyer Kaloy Akhilgov stated to the RBC news site that this development “removes complete judicial supervision and undermines the principle of individual criminal accountability.”

He pointed out that the law allows for entire groups to be labeled as extremist even if only one member is found guilty and that mere membership, even if passive, could now result in serious legal ramifications.