Moscow [Russia], April 18: Russia's Supreme Court has suspended its ban on the Taliban, which it had designated for more than 20 years as "a terrorist organisation". The latest move is aimed at normalising ties with the de facto rulers of Afghanistan.
Thursday's ruling - prompted by a request from the prosecutor general - is effective immediately, Judge Oleg Nefedov announced, according to Russia's Tass news agency.
The move in favour of the group that seized power in Afghanistan in 2021 follows years of gradual rapprochement with Moscow, despite a turbulent history dating back to the Afghan Civil War of the 1990s. More recently, shared security interests - including the fight against ISIL (ISIS)'s regional affiliate, ISKP - have drawn Russia and the Taliban closer.
Source: Qatar Tribune
