Putin approves new strategy to counter extremism

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a new strategy to counter extremism. The corresponding decree was signed by the head of state on Saturday, December 28.

"In order to ensure further implementation of the state policy in the sphere of countering extremism in the Russian Federation, I decree: to approve the attached strategy of countering extremism in the Russian Federation," the document says on the official Internet portal of legal information.

The strategy, in particular, emphasizes that one of the factors in the spread of extremism in Russia is the illegal activities of migrants arriving in the country. In addition, the Russian authorities consider one of the main tasks in the fight against extremism to be "the elimination of the source of threats emanating from the territory of Ukraine."

"Cases of recruitment of minors into the ranks of extremist organizations have become more frequent, as they are not only more easily amenable to ideological and psychological influence, but under certain circumstances are not subject to criminal liability," the strategy specifies.

It is also alarming that radical ideas in the Russian Federation are trying to spread among athletes, including sports schools and martial arts clubs. In addition, the penetration of supporters of extremist ideology is also observed in the coaching and teaching staff.

"Extremist crimes cause increased public resonance, destabilize the socio-political and socio-economic situation both in certain regions of Russia and in the country as a whole. There is an increase in the impact of such crimes on national security," the document adds.

It is also stressed that destructive work in Russia is carried out by some non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which present it under the guise of cultural and educational work. As follows from the presidential decree, for this purpose, the activities of foreign and international NGOs recognized as undesirable in Russia should be neutralized.

Russia also considers the support of such activities by unfriendly countries, including their attempts to organize "color revolutions," to be an extremist threat. The same threats include falsification of world history, illegal encroachment on the cultural and historical heritage of the Russian Federation, actions to radicalize society, as well as support for international extremist and terrorist organizations. It is specified that terrorism is a dangerous manifestation of extremism.

Before that, the head of state discussed the strategy of countering extremism with the Security Council of the Russian Federation on December 13. The topic was highlighted by Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev.

Earlier, October 8, the head of state called the fight against terrorism, extremism, organized crime, drug trafficking and corruption a key area of joint work of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). According to the Russian leader, this is facilitated by the established operational interaction of law enforcement agencies and competent bodies in the CIS.