Moscow has officially labeled the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, a free-market think-tank, as "undesirable," effectively banning its operations. The organization has characterized this move as a manifestation of Russia's threat to civil and human rights.

The Russian government has effectively prohibited a German free-market think-tank associated with the Free Democratic Party (FDP) by declaring the Friedrich Naumann Foundation "undesirable."

The foundation's board announced the blacklist by the Russian Justice Ministry on Thursday, expressing concern about the risks it poses to Russians and its partners.

The board condemned Russia's threat to global civil and human rights commitments and affirmed their dedication to their mission despite the ban.

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation now joins other think tanks linked to Berlin's ruling coalition partners, the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens, which have also been banned by the Kremlin following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

A law enacted in 2015 requires organizations labeled as "undesirable" to halt operations in Russia. It grants Russian authorities the power to shut down their offices, freeze their bank accounts and assets, and poses a risk of criminal prosecution for Russian citizens in contact with these organizations.

Numerous Russian NGOs have been closed down, along with offices of human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Additionally, Russia has prohibited DW and other independent media outlets from broadcasting within its borders.