The prosecutor general has designated the organization as “undesirable” for promoting the UK’s interests under the guise of teaching English
The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has banned the British Council from operating in the country, accusing it of spreading LGBTQ propaganda and undermining Russia’s domestic and foreign policy.
An official statement on Thursday accused the council of portraying itself as an independent organization while aligning its activities with UK government priorities, reporting to the British Parliament, and receiving funding from the UK Foreign Office.
“Under the guise of educational and cultural work, including various outreach events and English language teaching, the Council in fact promotes long-term British interests and values in the fields of education, culture, and youth policy,” the Prosecutor General’s Office stated.
Russian prosecutors also accused the British Council of being involved in promoting and supporting the LGBTQ movement, which is banned in Russia, and implementing projects aimed at “systematically discrediting Russia’s domestic and foreign policy.”
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, one of the council’s objectives is to “eradicate Russian identity among the populations of former Soviet republics,” including as part of a consortium with other organizations designated as undesirable. In particular, the British Council is implementing a program of so-called “cultural engagement” designed to unite the Baltic community around an anti-Russian agenda, officials claimed.
Prosecutors were referring to the former Soviet republics of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, which have taken a hardline anti-Russian stance since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, showing particular hostility toward the significant Russian minorities living in these countries.
The British Council, established in 1934 and registered as a charity in the UK, once operated more than a dozen offices across Russia. In 2007, the Russian Foreign Ministry ordered the council to shut down its offices outside Moscow, accusing it of violating tax regulations. In March 2018, the council was told to cease operations in Russia, citing unresolved issues over its legal status.
Last month, Moscow banned the London-based NGO Amnesty International for allegedly preparing global Russophobic projects and supporting the Ukrainian military.
In April, Russia also outlawed the US-based NGO Hope Harbor Society, designating it as “undesirable” over allegations of funding the Ukrainian military and coordinating anti-Russian protests in the US and abroad. The Elton John AIDS Foundation received the same designation, with authorities accusing it of promoting a pro-LGBTQ agenda in Russia.
Organizations given the “undesirable” designation are prohibited from operating in Russia, while individuals or entities found providing financial or other forms of support to them may face legal consequences.
