Russia declares opposition platform at Council of Europe assembly "undesirable"

Russia's Justice Ministry added the Platform for Dialogue with Russian Democratic Forces at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the publisher Vidim Books to its register of "undesirable" organizations. Eleven organizations were added in all.

The platform is a consultative group of Russians opposed to the Kremlin, approved by PACE in January for one year. Its members include Garry Kasparov, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Vladimir Kara-Murza and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova.

Vidim Books publishes Russian-language books from Slovakia, many of which cannot be published or sold in Russia because their authors hold "foreign agent" status.

Maximum forced labour

4 years

Taking part in an undesirable organization can bring criminal charges in Russia, with a fine of up to 500,000 roubles or up to four years of forced labour. The register now holds more than 200 organizations.