The crisis group 'SK SOS', which assists victims of domestic…
The crisis group 'SK SOS', which assists victims of domestic violence and LGBTK+ representatives in the North Caucasus, was declared an 'extremist organization' by court decision.
Consensus
- The organization SK SOS was declared an 'extremist organization' in Russia.
- The decision was made in July, but the group learned about it nearly a month later through a letter addressed to its director, David Isteiev.
- SK SOS has announced plans to appeal the ruling.
- The group had anticipated this outcome following the November 2023 Supreme Court decision that declared the 'international LGBTQ+ movement' an extremist organization.
- SK SOS has ceased operations within Russia: it currently has no volunteers or staff inside the country.
- SK SOS has disabled donations from Russian bank cards for safety reasons.
- The group continues to provide assistance, including counseling, evacuation support, medical and psychological aid.
- Receiving help from SK SOS is not considered participation in its activities and does not carry legal consequences.
- SK SOS has not yet been included in the official registry of extremist organizations maintained by the Ministry of Justice.
Points of divergence
- The group believes that courts, which they describe as being 'deluded' by non-existent movements, will not rule in their favor. — tg_theinsider
- The court decision was made at the beginning of July and the organization was not notified about the hearing. — tg_radiosvoboda
- SK SOS was founded in 2021, and one of its documented cases involved Seda Sulaymanova, a woman from Chechnya who was detained in St. Petersburg in August 2023 and whose current whereabouts are unknown. — meduza
- More than 10 organizations supporting LGBTQ+ people have been banned across Russia this year based on lawsuits filed by the Ministry of Justice, including 'Center T', 'Russian LGBT Network', and the gay publication 'Parni Plus'. — mediazona
Coverage (15 sources)
- Rights protection group 'SK SOS', helping LGBTQ+ people and women victims of violence in the North Caucasus, declared an 'extremist organization' — ASTRA
- SOS Crisis Group declared an extremist organization — The Insider
- ⛔️ Human rights group 'SK SOS', which assists victims of domestic violence and LGBT representatives in the North Caucasus... — Радио Свобода
- Crisis group 'SK SOS', which assists victims of violence in the North Caucasus, recognized as an extremist organization... — Кавказ.Реалии
- Project SK SOS, helping LGBTQ+ on the North Caucasus, recognized as an 'extremist organization' — BBC News Русская служба
- Crisis group 'SK SOS' declared an extremist organization; not yet added to official registry — ЭХО / Новости
- The crisis group SOS of the Ministry of Internal Affairs declared an 'extremist' organization — Meduza
- Crisis group 'SK SOS' recognized as an extremist organization — Медиазона
- Human rights group 'SK SOS' declared an 'extremist organization' — Говорит НеМосква
- Crisis group 'SK SOS' recognized as an extremist organization — Новая газета Европа
- SOS Crisis Group Declared an 'Extremist' Organization — Бумага
- Crisis group 'SK SOS' recognized as extremist organization — 7х7 — Горизонтальная Россия
- Russian authorities designate 'SOS Crisis Group' as an extremist organization — Varlamov News
- Crisis group 'SK SOS' recognized as an extremist organization — Дождь (Telegram)
- Human rights project SK SOS recognized as an 'extremist' organization — SOTAvision