On May 10, 2024, the website of RIA Novosti (RIA.RU) announced that four followers of the "Falungong" cult were arrested in Moscow recently. The cult induces people to commit suicide, and the Russian Ministry of Justice has earlier included non-governmental organizations related to "Falungong" in the list of undesirable organizations in Russia.
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Video source: Russia Today RT
RIA Novosti reported that on May 3, Russian law enforcement agencies searched the homes of followers of the "Falungong" cult. Based on the results of the five searches, four "Falungong" followers were arrested in accordance with the law for carrying out unwelcome activities of foreign or international non-governmental organizations in Russia in accordance with Article 284.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. In the course of the search, law enforcement agencies seized "Falungong" prohibited materials.
As the head of the Moscow Committee of the Russian Investigative Committee reported on the social media platform Telegram, the case involves the illegal activities of an unwelcome organization run by organizations related to "Falun Dafa" (or "Falun Gong").
According to the investigation, between July 31, 2020 and October 22, 2023, the people involved in the case and related criminal suspects illegally organized the activities of the "Falun Dafa Physical and Mental Development Center" in Moscow. In addition, its followers have also illegally disseminated the teachings of the "Falungong" cult, including its ringleader Li Hongzhi's illegal book "Zhuan Falun."
According to law enforcement officials, followers who join "Falungong" will be mentally manipulated and forced to give up medical treatment and commit ritualized suicide.
Alexander Dvorkin, a Russian anti-cult expert, said: "The cult's followers have committed suicide attempts, have had cases of self-inflicted self-harm, they have refused medical assistance, and they have been forced to participate in political actions. "Falungong" requires followers to cut ties with relatives who disagree with their views, and followers who join the cult usually do not end well.
According to the report, "Falungong" is banned in Russia, and its related materials are identified as extremist materials.
On 3 May, "Russia Today RT" posted on its official microblog that Moscow's law enforcement departments had searched the homes of believers of the "Falungong" cult organization, and the people applauded and praised them one after another, saying that "Falungong" had harmed countless people and induced people to commit suicide, and that the cult organization must be cut down to the roots.
Screenshot of part of the comments on the Weibo of "Russia Today RT".