The judgment on the liquidation of the Jewish agency “Sokhnut” in Russia was postponed for a month – until September 19. Moscow’s Basmanny Court granted Sokhnut’s second petition, which was presented with the aim of “forming a position on new written evidence and trying to eliminate identified violations,” Russian media reported on Friday, August 19.

“We are studying the new documents attached to the case. We hope that the organization will continue to work in Russia,” said Andrei Grishaev, a lawyer for the Jewish agency. Earlier, the court, in connection with the objections of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, rejected the request of “Sokhnut” to appoint a “two-month conciliation procedure”.

Claims from Russia for “Sokhnut”

The Russian Ministry of Justice demanded the liquidation of the Jewish Agency “Sokhnut” in July, and on July 27, the case began to be considered in the Basmanny Court. The Ministry of Justice alleges that Sokhnut violated Russian law in his work. According to the Jerusalem Post, the allegations by Russian authorities relate to “the collection and transfer of personal data from Russians to Israel and the brain drain”. Israeli officials have warned that the closing of Sokhnut’s offices in Russia will affect bilateral relations.

“Sohnut” assists Jews in repatriation to Israel around the world. In Russia, the organization has offices in nine cities. They represented Sokhnut and informed that the agency could transfer work in Russia to a remote mode.

Earlier, the British media company, referring to Sokhnut’s data, reported that after the start of the Russian armed invasion of Ukraine, more than 20,000 Jews emigrated from Russia to Israel. In total, according to Sokhnut, 165,000 Jews were living in Russia as of February 24. In 2021, around 20,000 Jews emigrated from Russia.