Russia removes prohibition on Taliban
(MENAFN) Russia’s Supreme Court has officially removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations, legalizing the group’s activities within the country. The Taliban, which regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021 after the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces, had been classified as a terrorist entity in Russia since 2003. Until now, any interaction with the group was considered a criminal offense under Russian law.
The decision reflects a shift in Moscow’s approach, driven by the need to engage with Afghanistan’s de facto rulers for the sake of regional stability. President Vladimir Putin has previously stated the importance of developing some form of relationship with the Taliban government, given its current control over Afghanistan.
In May 2024, Russia’s Foreign Ministry and Justice Ministry proposed lifting the ban, and the Prosecutor General’s Office filed a formal request with the Supreme Court earlier this month, resulting in Thursday’s ruling.
Legal changes made in 2023 to Russia’s counterterrorism laws now allow courts to remove organizations from the terrorist list if they are no longer involved in promoting or supporting terrorism and are not in violation of Russian criminal law.
While the Taliban government is still not formally recognized by most of the international community, several Central Asian nations have recently renewed ties with Kabul. Kazakhstan delisted the Taliban in June 2024, followed by Kyrgyzstan in September. Turkmenistan has resumed collaboration through the TAPI gas pipeline project, and Uzbekistan signed multiple cooperation agreements in August 2024.
Taliban spokesman Mohammad Suhail Shaheen, speaking from Qatar, welcomed Russia’s decision, saying the ban had hindered potential collaboration between the two nations.
Experts emphasize that Russia’s move does not amount to official recognition of the Taliban government, but it does open the door to increased diplomatic and economic engagement.
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