Russian prosecutors said Monday they have designated Hollywood actor George Clooney's foundation, a U.S. non-profit organization, as “undesirable” because it is conducting a “Hollywood-style” effort to discredit Moscow.
The foundation was founded by actor George Clooney and his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.
Moscow began using the “undesirable” label in 2015. Since then, dozens of foreign groups have been given the label, which essentially bans the organization’s activities outright.
“The foundation carries out work on a Hollywood scale aimed at discrediting Russia,” the Prosecutor General's Office said on the Telegram messaging app, without providing evidence.
“The foundation actively supports individuals who pretend to defend the homeland but have left the country.”
The Prosecutor General's Office added that “under the pretext of humanitarian ideas,” the organization is said to be promoting initiatives to criminalize Moscow's top leaders. The foundation is also said to be openly disseminating negative assessments of Russia's laws on foreign agents and NGOs.
The Clooney Foundation for Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters.
In addition to non-profit organizations, Russia's “undesirable” list also includes media, political, cultural and religious groups that Moscow deems a threat to state security. (ah/rs)
