Russia designates human rights organization OVD-Info as extremist

Russia's financial monitoring service Rosfinmonitoring added the prominent human rights organization OVD-Info to its list of extremist organizations in early June. The organization began operating in 2011 and has assisted tens of thousands of victims of political repression over the years. OVD-Info director Aleksandr Polivanov stated that the organization will continue its work despite its new status.

Russia's financial monitoring service Rosfinmonitoring designated the prominent human rights organization OVD-Info as extremist on June 4. At the same time, dozens of other organizations connected to Memorial, which was previously designated extremist and added to the list in April, were also added to the list.

OVD-Info's work and significance

OVD-Info began operating in December 2011 and has since monitored political repression in Russia and assisted its victims. Over the years, the organization has provided support to tens, if not hundreds of thousands of people who have experienced violence and persecution by security forces.

Director: work continues

The organization's director Aleksandr Polivanov told Meduza that the extremist designation will not stop their work. "Repression in Russia continues — which means we continue working," Polivanov said. He noted that the team has accepted the new status and plans to continue its mission.

OVD-Info is one of Russia's most prominent civil society organizations, documenting political trials, providing legal aid to detainees, and disseminating information about repression occurring in Russia. The organization's designation as extremist is part of a broader campaign of pressure against independent civil society in Russia.