Russia Removes Prohibition on Taliban
The Supreme Court of Russia has officially lifted the designation of the Taliban as a “terrorist organization,” effectively legalizing the group's activities within the country. The Islamist movement, which regained control of Afghanistan four...
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The Supreme Court of Russia has officially lifted the designation of the Taliban as a “terrorist organization,” effectively legalizing the group's activities within the country.
The Islamist movement, which regained control of Afghanistan four years ago, had been classified as a terrorist entity since 2003, making any interactions with its members a criminal act under Russian law.
This decision comes in response to requests from Russian officials advocating for engagement with the Taliban to promote stability in Afghanistan. The group took power again in August 2021, following the withdrawal of US and NATO troops after a two-decade presence in the region.
Since then, Moscow has resumed diplomatic relations with Taliban officials. Last year, President Vladimir Putin stated it was “necessary to build relations with the current government somehow,” recognizing their control over Afghanistan.
In May 2024, the Russian Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Justice formally suggested lifting the ban. Earlier this month, the Prosecutor General’s Office filed a motion to the Supreme Court, which resulted in Thursday's ruling.
Previously, there was no process in Russian law for removing organizations from the terrorist list. Amendments enacted in 2023 to the federal law on countering terrorism now permit courts to suspend the designation if the group has ceased activities related to propaganda, justification, or support of terrorism and is no longer violating the Criminal Code.
Despite the Taliban government's lack of official recognition by the international community, several Central Asian nations have renewed relations with Kabul. Kazakhstan removed the group from its terrorist list in June 2024, followed by Kyrgyzstan in September. Turkmenistan has also resumed cooperation through the TAPI gas pipeline project, and Uzbekistan signed multiple joint agreements with Kabul in August 2024.
Mohammad Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban’s envoy to Qatar and its de facto international spokesman, expressed that Kabul welcomed Russia’s move, stating the ban had stood “in the way of cooperation” between the two countries.
Experts indicate that Thursday’s ruling does not equate to formal recognition of the Taliban government but will enhance diplomatic engagement opportunities.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
The Islamist movement, which regained control of Afghanistan four years ago, had been classified as a terrorist entity since 2003, making any interactions with its members a criminal act under Russian law.
This decision comes in response to requests from Russian officials advocating for engagement with the Taliban to promote stability in Afghanistan. The group took power again in August 2021, following the withdrawal of US and NATO troops after a two-decade presence in the region.
Since then, Moscow has resumed diplomatic relations with Taliban officials. Last year, President Vladimir Putin stated it was “necessary to build relations with the current government somehow,” recognizing their control over Afghanistan.
In May 2024, the Russian Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Justice formally suggested lifting the ban. Earlier this month, the Prosecutor General’s Office filed a motion to the Supreme Court, which resulted in Thursday's ruling.
Previously, there was no process in Russian law for removing organizations from the terrorist list. Amendments enacted in 2023 to the federal law on countering terrorism now permit courts to suspend the designation if the group has ceased activities related to propaganda, justification, or support of terrorism and is no longer violating the Criminal Code.
Despite the Taliban government's lack of official recognition by the international community, several Central Asian nations have renewed relations with Kabul. Kazakhstan removed the group from its terrorist list in June 2024, followed by Kyrgyzstan in September. Turkmenistan has also resumed cooperation through the TAPI gas pipeline project, and Uzbekistan signed multiple joint agreements with Kabul in August 2024.
Mohammad Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban’s envoy to Qatar and its de facto international spokesman, expressed that Kabul welcomed Russia’s move, stating the ban had stood “in the way of cooperation” between the two countries.
Experts indicate that Thursday’s ruling does not equate to formal recognition of the Taliban government but will enhance diplomatic engagement opportunities.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
