Russian Libertarian Party halts activities after 'foreign agent' designation

The Russian Libertarian Party has announced it is halting all political and educational activities and will no longer accept new members, citing mounting pressure from Russian authorities.

In a statement released on Telegram, the party declared, "In this situation, we have exhausted our resources to resist the pressure and can no longer guarantee the safety of our supporters in Russia." The decision marks a significant step back for a movement that has aimed to promote libertarian ideals within the country.

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In this situation, we have exhausted our resources to resist the pressure and can no longer guarantee the safety of our supporters in Russia.

The party, which was added to Russia's registry of "foreign agents" by the Ministry of Justice on July 17, described itself as a significant political force in Russia and one of the most successful libertarian movements globally during its existence. The Libertarian Party, though not officially registered, was founded in 2008 and split into two organizations in 2020, both retaining the same name.

The "foreign agent" designation is often used by Russian authorities to stigmatize and restrict the activities of independent organizations, including political parties, NGOs, and media outlets, by subjecting them to increased scrutiny and reporting requirements.

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the party became a significant political force in the country and one of the most successful libertarian movements in the world.