The Russian Committee for the Prevention of Torture, a non-government organization, has disbanded after being accused of working as a "foreign agent," agency head Sergei Babinets announced on Sunday.
"Despite the obvious importance of our mission, the authorities have been trying for many years to portray it as foreign and harmful," Babinets said in a Telegram post. He explained that the NGO views the government accusation as an "insult" and that the move by Moscow is a "signal" that "torture is becoming (or has already become) part of government policy."
The organization was founded over two decades ago with the intention to urge investigation into torture allegations, as well as getting medical and legal support for victims of torture.
