SEOUL, South Korea —
Russian authorities are investigating the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification — formerly known as the Unification Church — and the religious group’s affiliates in major Russian cities, interrogating believers and personnel.
The raids Monday were “at the request of the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office against the background of the recognition of three structures associated with the Unification Church and funded from abroad as undesirable,” according to Russian media.
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Izvestia, a Russian newspaper, quoted Rostislav Prokopishin, a lecturer at the Moscow State Psychological and Pedagogical University, as saying, “A whole network of foundations and associations was hiding under the appropriate religious banner.”
According to Mr. Prokopishin, organizations such as the church’s Universal Peace Federation enter foreign territories such as Russia and establish relationships that morph into “centralized, well-managed intelligence networks.”
Izvestia, a Russian newspaper seen as closely aligned with the Kremlin, suggested that Moscow’s actions targeting the South Korea-based global religious group may be in retaliation for the church’s charitable activities in Ukraine.
“Since the beginning of the special military operation, the associations have had a new topic — Ukraine,” Izvestia wrote. “Materials critical of the Russian authorities appeared on their pages, as well as humanitarian aid collections were announced. Subsequently, the cargo reached the Ukrainian militants.”
A staffer of the Family Federation in South Korea, speaking off-record, expressed surprise at Moscow’s sudden crackdown.
“We have been well treated by the Russian government for a good many years,” the source said. “I think we even got government funding for certain projects.”
The paper says the investigation covers not only the FFWPU, but also its nongovernmental organization affiliates, the Universal Peace Federation and the Women’s Federation for World Peace International.
Founded in South Korea in 1954 by the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the FFWPU has long opposed communism and operates a range of affiliated groups and businesses, including The Washington Times newspaper.
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