Russian authorities conducted a police raid on a Tibetan Buddhist festival held in Moscow on February 15, 2025, detaining several participants and seizing religious materials, according to eyewitness accounts and statements from the festival organizers. The event, which had been publicly advertised as a cultural celebration of Tibetan Buddhist traditions, took place at a rented venue in the city’s southwestern district and drew attendees from various regions, including the Republic of Kalmykia.
Kalmykia, a federal subject of Russia located in the North Caucasus, is the only Buddhist-majority republic in the Russian Federation, with a significant portion of its population adhering to Tibetan Buddhism through the Gelug school. The raid in Moscow has raised concerns among Kalmyk community leaders about the broader implications for religious expression, particularly given the historical and cultural ties between Kalmykia and Tibetan Buddhist institutions.
Organizers of the festival stated that they had obtained all necessary permits for the gathering and that the event was peaceful and non-political in nature. They reported that police arrived without prior warning, interrupted proceedings, and questioned attendees about their affiliations with the Dalai Lama and foreign-funded religious groups. No formal charges were filed against those detained, but several individuals were held for several hours before being released.
The Moscow police department has not issued an official statement detailing the legal basis for the raid or the specific allegations prompting it. Similarly, the Ministry of Justice and the Federal Security Service (FSB) have not commented on whether the operation was part of a broader review of foreign-influenced religious activities in Russia.
In Kalmykia, where Buddhist temples and monasteries operate under state registration, religious leaders have expressed caution in responding publicly, noting the sensitivity of discussing law enforcement actions tied to religious practice. Some community figures have called for dialogue with federal authorities to clarify the boundaries of permissible religious activity, especially concerning cross-border cultural exchanges with Tibetan Buddhist centers in India and Nepal.
The incident occurs amid ongoing scrutiny by Russian authorities of foreign-linked non-governmental organizations and religious groups, particularly those perceived as having ties to the Dalai Lama, whom the Chinese government designates as a separatist figure. Russia has maintained a delicate diplomatic balance between its strategic partnership with China and its domestic Buddhist communities, which have historically looked to Tibetan spiritual leaders for religious guidance.
As of February 18, 2025, no further actions have been announced by Moscow authorities regarding the seized materials or the status of the detained individuals. Festival organizers say they are reviewing legal options but have not yet filed a formal complaint. Representatives from the Buddhist traditional sangha in Kalmykia confirmed they are monitoring the situation but declined to provide additional comment.
