Russia bans a voter-rights group that doesn’t technically exist

Russia has designated an organization "undesirable" — except nobody can find it. Per Meduza, the Justice Ministry added an international public movement called "In Defense of Voters' Rights Golos" to its registry of forbidden groups in late June, with no public announcement and no details. The problem: Stanislav Andreychuk, a former leader of an actual Russian voters' rights group called Golos, says he has no idea what this "international" movement is, and neither do his former colleagues. The original Golos had existed since two thousand as a Russian organization focused on election monitoring. It was repeatedly designated a "foreign agent," and ceased operations in July twenty twenty-five after its co-chair was sentenced. Andreychuk suspects the state created this vague designation as a preemptive tool — something they can use against anyone they deem problematic during voting periods.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton