Russia blacklists the Mormon Brigham Young University as “undesirable”
HRWF (09.06.2025) – The Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation has included the American Brigham Young University (BYU) in the list of foreign and international non-governmental organizations whose activities are recognized as undesirable on the territory of Russia. This was reported on 2 June on the website of the Ministry of Justice.
Brigham Young University, based in Utah and sponsored by the Mormon Church, offers an undergraduate degree in Russian studies.
According to the Russian blacklist, the BYU activities were recognized as “undesirable” in Russia by the Prosecutor General’s Office on 29 April.
Russia introduced its “undesirable” law in 2015, using it to crack down on independent media, opposition groups and foreign organizations. Nearly 230 organizations are currently blacklisted.
The designation bars the private American university from operating in Russia. Under Russian law, individuals found to be affiliated with “undesirable” organizations face up to four years in prison, while organization leaders risk up to six years.
On 21 May, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation recognized the activities of Amnesty International Limited (AIL) as undesirable on the territory of Russia for allegedly developing Russophobic projects paid for by supporters of the Kiev regime.
Photo: BYU campus.WikiMedia Commons
