**Russia Asks Supreme Court to Lift Taliban Ban**
Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has asked the country’s top court to lift a ban on dealing with the Taliban. The move was reported by pro-government media outlet Interfax on March 31.
The Supreme Court is set to review the request on April 17 in a closed session. The Taliban has been on Russia’s list of terrorist organizations since 2003.
**Background**
The Taliban, an Islamist militant group, took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 after US and NATO forces left the country. Despite being in power, the Taliban-led government has not been recognized by any state, including Russia, due to its poor human rights record and failure to meet international commitments.
**Russia’s Shift**
In December 2024, Russia passed a law allowing for organizations to be removed from the list of banned terrorist groups. In May 2024, the Foreign Ministry and Justice Ministry recommended that the Taliban be taken off the list. President Vladimir Putin signaled support for the move but said he hoped the United Nations would take the lead.
**Engagement with the Taliban**
Despite maintaining the ban, Russia has expanded its engagement with the Taliban. The country has deepened trade ties and invested in Afghan infrastructure. The Taliban regularly participates in Russian economic and educational forums. Putin has referred to the Taliban as “allies,” while Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called them “sane people.”
**Concerns**
However, the Taliban continues to enforce strict Islamic law, banning women from education, restricting social interactions, and carrying out public stonings of women to death.
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