Russia blocks the site of an NGO specialized in following the demonstrations

Moscow.- Russia blocked the website of the famous non-governmental organization OVD-Info, which records the arrests during opposition demonstrations in Russia, at a time of repression against voices critical of the Kremlin, as it claims that it promotes “extremism and The terrorism”.

This decision comes in a context of Russian pressure on the internet, one of the last spaces for free expression in the country, due to blockades, threats and fines against large digital companies.

The Russian telecommunications regulator, Roskomnadzor, said on Saturday that the OVD-Info blockade, following a decision of a court on December 20, occurs because the NGO published information promoting “terrorism and extremism”, without give more details.

Roskomnadzor also asked the companies that own social networks to suppress the NGO’s accounts.

OVD-Info, which also offers legal support to victims of political persecution, said Roskomnadzor blocked its website earlier this week before receiving a notification.

“We see it as the continuation of the state’s offensive against civil society,” said the NGO’s co-founder, Grigori Okhotin, on his Telegram account, who also rejects the accusations and promises that they will continue with their work.

AFP journalists in Russia were unable to access the OVD-Info site this Saturday.

This decision comes at the close of a year marked by growing repression against critical voices of the government, which began with the imprisonment of Alexei Navalni, considered the main opponent of President Vladimir Putin.

In September, the Ministry of Justice added OVD-Info to its list of “agents from abroad”, a level reserved for organizations allegedly working against Russian interests. A tool widely used against NGOs and opposition associations.

For its part, the human rights defense NGO Memorial, a pillar of civil society, fears that it will be closed before the New Year. The prosecution accuses her of violating a controversial law on “agents of foreigners”.

On Friday, a Russian court sentenced Google and Meta (Facebook’s parent company) to record fines of $ 98 million and $ 27 million respectively for failing to suppress “prohibited” content.