- Russia restricts establishment of foundation linked to American actor George Clooney
Russia's Legal Enforcement Agency has prohibited the charity organization established by renowned actor George Clooney and his legal expert spouse, Amal Clooney. As stated by the agency on Monday, "The operations of the Clooney Foundation for Justice are deemed unfavorable within our nation's boundaries." The group is accused of "extensive efforts to tarnish Russia's reputation" and "providing support to fictitious patriots and individuals associated with outlawed terrorist and extremist organizations."
Claiming to uphold human rights and provide pro-bono legal assistance to victims of human rights infractions across countless nations, the foundation is said to be spearheading initiatives "under the pretext of humanitarian values" and on a grand cinematic scale to instigate investigations against Russia's elite authorities.
In July, the foundation, alongside other non-governmental organizations, presented a complaint against Russia to the UN Human Rights Committee, alleging human rights transgressions. This complaint specifically concerned a rocket assault on the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia two years prior.
Last October, the Clooney Foundation for Justice also contacted Russia's Federal Prosecutor's Office. Foundation experts believed they had evidence of war crimes in three situations, stemming from accounts from the victims or their families, as well as images, videos, and satellite data. These situations included a rocket attack on a tourist spot in the Odessa region, causing the death and severe injury of many civilians during the summer of 2022. In another instance, Russian ground troops were accused of torturing and executing four men in the temporarily occupied Kharkiv region between March and September of 2022. A third incident implicated commanders of Russian units who were charged with executions, torture, sexual violence, and plundering during the occupation of the Kyiv region in March of 2022.
Under the Criminal Code regarding International Law, Russia's Federal Prosecutor General has the authority to investigate certain crimes that were not committed within Germany. This power is based on the principle of universal jurisdiction, which signifies that alleged war criminals should not find sanctuary anywhere in the world.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Russian authorities have intensified the suppression of dissent in a manner akin to the end of the Soviet Union. The label of "undesirable organization" has already been assigned to numerous political, cultural, and religious groups, as well as various media outlets. In early August, Russia's Legal Enforcement Agency designated the CDU-linked Konrad Adenauer Foundation as "undesirable."
This measure essentially serves as a ban within Russia. Russian staff or associates risk facing criminal charges.
The renowned actor George Clooney, along with his spouse Amal Clooney, leads the Clooney Foundation for Justice, which has been accused of tarnishing Russia's reputation and supporting individuals linked to banned organizations. Despite their claim of upholding human rights and providing legal aid, the foundation is accused of using humanitarian values to instigate investigations against Russia's elite authorities.
