Initiative FoReDi has been designated an “undesirable organization” by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation

Today we learned that on October 3, 2025, our non-profit organization Initiative FoReDi ry, registered in Finland, was officially declared undesirable in Russia.

This decision came shortly after we launched a fundraising campaign for the memorial bench dedicated to the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, which will be installed near the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Helsinki.

We believe that including our organization in this list is an attempt to obstruct our work and the fundraising for the Alexei Navalny memorial.

⚠️ Important information for those who travel to or maintain ties with Russia:

After an organization is declared undesirable, it is prohibited to:

🚫 Participate in its activities:

— organize or attend events, distribute materials, or assist in project implementation.

🚫 Cooperate or provide indirect support:

— share links, repost content, offer services, provide venues or equipment, or give consultations.

🚫 Provide financial support:

— any donations, money transfers, or financial assistance are considered criminal offenses.

🚫 Distribute materials:

— publishing, reposting, or even quoting materials may be interpreted as participation.

Legal consequences in Russia:

• Administrative (Article 20.33 of the Administrative Code) — fines up to 15,000 rubles.

• Criminal (Article 284.1 of the Criminal Code) — imprisonment up to 4 years,and up to 6 years for organizing activities.

Please be aware of the potential risks when interacting with our association Initiative FoReDi ry.