A Russian court has recognized the crisis group 'SK SOS' as an 'extremist organization', according to a letter sent to the group's director, David Istev. The decision was made about a month ago but only became public now. The group has not yet been added to the official register of 'extremist' organizations maintained by the Ministry of Justice.
Human rights activists said they would appeal the ruling, but acknowledged that the court, 'which imagines non-existent movements, will not be on our side.'
The organization said it had long expected such a decision and had been restructuring its work since November 2023, when Russia designated the non-existent 'international LGBT movement' as 'extremist'. SK SOS stopped accepting donations from Russian bank cards and scaled back its activities in Russia; it currently has no employees or volunteers in the country.
Despite the new status, the group pledged to continue its work. 'For people who turn to us for help, nothing changes,' the statement said. 'We are still ready to advise them, help with evacuation, and provide medical and psychological assistance.' The organization clarified that receiving help does not constitute participation in the group's activities and therefore carries no legal consequences.
SK SOS is a human rights organization founded in 2021 that assists persecuted LGBTQ+ individuals and victims of domestic violence in the North Caucasus. In 2023, it was designated a 'foreign agent'. Since the start of the year, courts across Russia, acting on lawsuits from the Ministry of Justice, have banned more than a dozen organizations that support LGBTQ+ people, including 'Center T', the 'Russian LGBT Network', and the gay publication 'Guys Plus', according to Mediazona.