Russia has classified an American organization as "unwanted" due to what it described as carrying out "Hollywood-style" activities that harm Moscow's reputation. Russian prosecutors announced that they had designated the "Clooney Foundation for Justice," a non-profit American organization, as unwanted.
The Prosecutor General's Office of Russia stated on the messaging app Telegram that "the organization carries out activities with a Hollywood character aimed at discrediting Moscow." The office added that it "actively supports those who claim to be patriots who have left the country."
Furthermore, the office noted that "behind the guise of humanitarian ideas, the organization promotes initiatives related to the criminal prosecution of the Russian leadership and disseminates negative assessments of Russian legislation concerning foreign agents and non-governmental organizations."
The "unwanted" designation applies to media, political, cultural, and religious entities, in addition to non-profit organizations that Moscow argues pose a threat to the country's security. The foundation was established by the famous actor George Clooney and his wife Amal, a human rights lawyer. The "unwanted" designation has included dozens of foreign entities and organizations in Russia since Moscow began using it in 2015, and effectively means a complete ban on the listed organization's activities.
