"Today's decision by the Russian Supreme Court to close International Memorial, one of the oldest and best-known Russian human rights organizations, is a blatant and tragic attempt to suppress freedom of speech and erase history," the American diplomatic mission said in a statement citing the ambassador.

On December 28, the Russian Supreme Court decided to liquidate Memorial.

According to the prosecutor, the organization distorts the memory of the Great Patriotic War and creates "a false image of the USSR as a terrorist state."

* The international public organization “International Historical, Educational, Charitable and Human Rights Society“ Memorial ”is included in the register of NGOs performing the functions of a foreign agent, by decision of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation dated 04.10.2016.