Russia declares ‘international Satanism movement’ extremist, adds to financial blacklist

Russia has officially added the “international Satanism movement” to its financial blacklist, a move that allows authorities to freeze the assets of alleged members, even if they have no criminal record.

The decision was announced Friday by Rosfinmonitoring, the Russian federal agency responsible for maintaining the country’s list of designated “terrorists and extremists.” This marks the latest in a series of controversial listings that critics say are used to target political opponents and dissenters.

In recent years, Moscow has placed several broadly defined and often non-existent organizations on its blacklist, including the “international LGBT movement” and the “anti-Russian separatist movement.” Because these groups are vaguely defined under Russian law, prosecutors can accuse almost anyone of membership, effectively giving authorities broad powers to pursue individuals they deem undesirable.

Russia’s Supreme Court declared the “international Satanism movement” extremist in July following accusations from prosecutors that members desecrated Orthodox Christian churches and spread “hatred.” The prosecutor general said at the time, “The movement is closely linked to manifestations of radical nationalism and neo-Nazism.”

Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church and a key supporter of the ban, accused Satanists of performing malign “rituals” and recruiting youth. Speaking at a Kremlin ceremony in January, he said, “Think about it... Our soldiers are ready to give their lives for values that are clearly being trampled upon by Satanists.”

Satanism generally refers to any belief system or religion that venerates Satan, a supernatural figure associated with evil in Abrahamic religions. However, the true number of Satanism adherents worldwide—or within Russia—is unknown.

The inclusion of the “international Satanism movement” on the financial blacklist now enables Russian authorities to freeze bank accounts and assets linked to its alleged members, extending the government’s reach in its ongoing efforts to suppress groups it labels as extremist.