As reported by the Moscow Times, last Friday the General Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation designated the Church of Scientology as non-governmental organizations that are "undesirable" in the territory of the Russian Federation. (Press Release in Russian). The designation applies to both the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises and the Church of Spiritual Technology (L. Ron Hubbard Library). According to the Moscow Times:
Under the law, participants in “undesirable” groups' activities can be punished by up to four years in prison and organizers can receive up to six years.
Since 2007, the Russian government has taken various moves against the Moscow and St. Petersburg branches of Scientology.
