Moscow, June 26 (RIA Novosti) — The Tushinsky District Court in Moscow will announce a verdict on July 23 in the case against Natalia Minenkova, the alleged leader of the “Falun Gong” sect, which is banned in Russia. Minenkova is accused of organizing the activities of the religious association “Falun Dafa,” also outlawed as an extremist organization in the country.

According to court officials, the session is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., when Minenkova will deliver her final statement before the sentence is read.

During Thursday’s closing arguments, prosecutors requested a sentence of four and a half years in prison. Defense attorneys argued that Minenkova should be acquitted, claiming her actions did not constitute a crime. Minenkova maintains she merely practiced spiritual exercises that are not illegal in themselves.

Investigators allege that between July 2020 and October 2023, Minenkova and her associates illegally operated the “Center for Spiritual and Physical Perfection Falun Dafa” in Moscow. Authorities also accuse her of distributing materials from organizations deemed undesirable, including a publication that has been classified as extremist literature in Russia.

Earlier in May, Russia’s Investigative Committee reported raids targeting followers of the sect. The officials allege the group’s practices have led to suicides among adherents. Four people were detained, and criminal proceedings were opened over the illegal activities of the organization.

Falun Gong was founded in China in 1992 by Li Hongzhi. It was banned by the Chinese government in 1999. Li is said to have since relocated to the United States.

According to Russian law enforcement, Falun Gong has received backing from the US State Department and has attempted to foment so-called “color revolutions” in both Russia and China. Officials allege that while followers are first introduced to harmless qigong exercises, they later face manipulation, including pressure to reject conventional medicine and, in some cases, commit ritual suicides.