Disinfo: Poland-based “undesirable” Russian NGOs organise courses on mass riots and drug use

Summary

The anti-Russian projects are being implemented in Poland. The anti-Russian projects of organisations, which are perceived in Russia as undesirable, are being actively implemented by their “strongholds” in Poland, Czechia, Georgia, Ukraine and the Baltic states.

There are numerous facts of various training courses for the Russian citizens aimed at influencing electoral campaigns and organisation of mass riots, illegal political activities (including the involvement of minors), implementation of anti-Russian information campaigns and formation of tolerance to drug use in the society.

Disproof

Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the foreign interference in Russian politics through NGOs and human rights organisations.

The claims that foreign-based NGOs train the Russian citizens on how to organise mass riots, carry out illegal political activities and “promote the drug use” in Russia are ungrounded.

The European Union has repeatedly stated that the Russian law on “foreign agents” and the ensuing fines, inspections and stigmatisation, further tighten the restrictions on the exercise of fundamental freedoms in Russia, consume the scarce resources of NGOs and inhibit independent civil society in the country. The EU has called to abandon the practice of branding Russian NGOs as “foreign agents”, as well as all resulting administrative harassment.

One of NGOs being targeted with the "foreign agent" law is International Memorial that is "studying political repressions in the USSR and in present-day Russia and promoting moral and legal rehabilitation of persons subjected to political repressions". In 2020, the director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said: “Pressure on Memorial organisations in Russia has increased in recent years, presenting even more challenges for such organisations to carry out their work. The International Memorial and the Human Rights Centre Memorial are facing fines and are involved in administrative court proceedings over alleged violation of the ‘foreign agents’ law.”

The ODIHR called on the Russian authorities “to revisit the law and to ensure a safe and enabling space for civil society organisations, allowing them to continue their important work.”

See similar messages about the work of independent NGOs: Washington constantly meddles in Russian politics with NGOs and critics; George Soros destabilised many European countries by funding NGOs and Soros’ NGOs have brought Ukraine to the complete loss of sovereignty.

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pl.sputniknews.com (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 245
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18/05/2021
  • Article language(s) Polish
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Poland, Russia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia
  • Keywords: NGO, Anti-Russian, Destabilising Russia, election meddling, Civil Society, Drugs, Protest, Colour revolutions
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Disinfo: US-controlled biolabs develop biological weapons under the guise of studying dangerous infections

Scientific labs controlled by the Pentagon, located in a number of CIS countries and in Georgia, are causing Moscow serious concern. Russia fears that biological weapons are being developed in these centres under the guise of studying dangerous infections.

These labs are staffed by highly professional military microbiologists who do not study or develop anything to protect Georgian or Azerbaijani children, but instead are engaged in studying natural viral foci and exporting strains. Their task is simple, to make highly infectious strains that could easily pass for local ones.

We have been convinced that viruses are effective in terms of creating mass psychosis, destabilising the political situation, and collapsing economies; the coronavirus has caused more damage to the global economy than any war. At the same time, it is impossible to prove the artificial origin of the virus due to incomplete control over the work of biological laboratories. Observers are shown only what they “should see”. Sometimes Georgian specialists are dressed up in suits and they go to these laboratories, but they are not allowed in the most secret places and nobody knows what kind of research is being conducted there, because this is military research.

Last year Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, assumed that the development of pathogens of dangerous diseases for military purposes may be carried out at the US biological laboratories, citing the Richard Lugar Center in Georgia as an example.

May 17, 2021
Disproof

Recurring disinformation alleging that the United States develops biological weapons and has secret biological laboratories around the world. Consistent with the Pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign against biological laboratories, specifically the Lugar Center in Georgia, which is a recurrent target of these disinformation narratives. The disinformation about US biolabs in CIS countries and in Georgia aiming to encircle Moscow and spread infectious diseases is a part of a years-long disinformation campaign led by the Kremlin. In fact, biological laboratories are involved in preventing the risks of complex diseases and, together with other similar projects, counteracting bioterrorism.

The article does not present any evidence that supports the claim that the US is secretly developing biological weapons in laboratories around the world, thus making unfounded accusations. Russia claims that the Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research in Georgia, a public health facility named after US Senator Richard Lugar, is one such lab, but has never presented evidence to support its allegations. International experts visited the facility in 2018 to examine the premises, interview employees and review documents but found nothing suspicious.

Disinfo: NATO turns flourishing nations into desert, builds up presence near Belarus

Minsk may allow Russian military bases on its territory in response to the policy of some Western countries aimed at the violent change of power in Belarus. Minsk spots over 30 NATO reconnaissance flights near the Belarusian border every week. We know what NATO means by its operations for crisis settlement. We know many cases when US troops and their NATO allies have entered flourishing countries and virtually turned them into a desert, inflicting irreparable damage on them.

May 17, 2021
Disproof

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media, claiming that NATO is an aggressive bloc, whose aim is to wreak havoc wherever it appears, and that it is particularly eager to occupy Belarus. No evidence provided to back the claims.

In reality, NATO is both a political and a military alliance. It promotes democratic values and enables its members to consult and cooperate on defence and security issues to solve problems, build trust and prevent conflict. As for Belarus, where mass protests broke out last August, NATO does not intend to send its troops there. Belarus’ self-proclaimed leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka has been ever since accusing NATO of building up its military at the western border and mounting pressure in order to destabilise the situation. NATO rejected these claims, although the Alliance is closely monitoring the situation in Belarus. Its Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that fundamental freedoms must be respected, including freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest.

Disinfo: Through “Spring Storm” exercises in Estonia, NATO prepares an attack against Russia and Belarus

NATO “Spring Storm” military exercises in Estonia serve to elaborate the scenario of an attack against Russia. Suspicions are reinforced by the fact that UK and France transported to the Baltic country helicopters and armoured vehicles, which are used in offensive operations. Previously, Belarus’ General Staff announced works on the development of military structure in the Baltic countries and Poland. Minsk points that a bridgehead is being created in NATO’s eastern borders for an offensive against Russia and Belarus.

May 17, 2021
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about NATO, framing it as an aggressive body always plotting against Russia.

Contrary to the claim, Spring Storm 2021 is not a preparation for an attack against Russia or Belarus, but a military exercise to test the integration between NATO troops and the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF), strengthening their interoperability and responsiveness. This exercise takes place every year.