Russia’s top court lifts terror group designation on Afghanistan’s Taliban

Acting interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani speaks during the funeral prayers of Khalil Haqqani, the minister for refugees and repatriation, during his funeral procession in eastern Paktia province, Afghanistan (Saifullah Zahir/AP)

Russia’s Supreme Court has lifted a ban on Afghanistan’s Taliban, who were designated as a terrorist group more than two decades ago.

The move was a diplomatic victory for the Taliban, who were put on Russia’s list of terrorist organisations in 2003, making any contact with them punishable under Russian law.