Russia's Supreme Court has officially designated the so-called "International Satanism Movement" as an extremist organization, according to reports from Mediazona and RBC.
The ruling takes immediate effect. The case was brought before the court by Russia's Prosecutor General's Office and Ministry of Justice. Judge Oleg Nefedov, who previously ruled against the "LGBT movement" on similar grounds, issued the decision during a closed hearing where photography was prohibited.
Authorities claim that members of this movement follow Satanic principles, employ its symbols, and engage in occult practices. Prosecutors further allege that the group has ties to radical nationalism and neo-Nazi ideology, while also being involved in violent crimes, including ritual killings and offenses against minors.
However, no such organization as the "International Satanism Movement" actually exists. This follows previous Supreme Court rulings that banned other fictitious groups, including the "International LGBT Movement," the "Arestan Criminal Unity" (AUU), and "Columbine."
Earlier, Andrei Kartapolov, head of the State Duma's defense committee, accused Western nations of promoting Satanism in Russia and urged its prohibition alongside the "LGBT movement." Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church also called for banning Satanism as an extremist ideology.