April 21, 2026, 1:57 p.mApril 21, 2026, 1:57 p.m
The Russian authorities have classified the non-governmental organization Russia of the Future – Switzerland as “undesirable”. This status criminalizes the cooperation of people in Russia with the organization in Switzerland.
The Kremlin in Moscow, Russia.Image: IMAGO / SNA
The decision was based on a decision by the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office on March 31 and the subsequent inclusion in the Justice Ministry’s register, as the non-governmental organization (NGO), which includes numerous Russian exiles in Switzerland, announced. This was officially announced on April 15th.
According to the NGO, the classification comes against the background of a massive escalation of political persecution in Russia. In recent months, Russian courts have imposed unprecedentedly harsh prison sentences that are reminiscent of repression from Soviet times.
Under Russian law, people who collaborate with “undesirable” organizations – including through donations – face administrative or criminal prosecution. These risks affect not only residents of Russia, but also those planning to travel there, as financial transactions or digital traces can serve as a pretext for tracking.
Against Russian aggression in Ukraine
“Despite this pressure, we will continue our work at the international level,” Andrey Lipattsev, spokesman for Russia of the Future – Switzerland, is quoted as saying. And: further: “Our priorities remain supporting prisoners of conscience, strengthening civil society and mobilizing international attention against repression and corruption.”
The association “commits itself to opposing Russian aggression in Ukraine,” it says on its homepage. And: “We demand an immediate end to this war. We demand respect for human rights and freedoms in Russia, we demand an end to the persecution of Russians because of their anti-war position and criticism of the criminal Putin regime.” (hkl/sda)