The Elton John Aids Foundation (EJAF) has been declared “undesirable” by Russian authorities, who have banned the organization in their country.

According to a statement posted to its website, Russia‘s prosecutor general’s office made the decision to ban both the U.S.- and British-registered branches over support for LGBTQ+ rights. This means the EJAF cannot operate in the country and its staff and associates are liable for prosecution.

The EJAF primarily focuses on HIV/Aids prevention, but also advocates for LGBTQ+ people, who are routinely targeted by Russian officials. The NGO has operated in Russia for many years, primarily providing treatment programs, and John is a long-time critic of the country’s treatment of LGBTQ+ communities.

The prosecutor’s office noted the EJAF’s stated aims in its statement, but countered, writing, “To a greater extent, they are focused on the promotion of non-traditional sexual relations, Western family models, and gender reassignment.”

The prosecutor’s office also said the EJAF had “negative attitudes towards the policies of countries that protect traditional spiritual and moral values,” and claimed that it had been “participating in the West’s information campaign to denigrate Russia” since the country invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Furthermore, it alleged the NGO worked with other “non-profit organisations designated as foreign agents.”

John, whose life was turned into 2019 biopic Rocketman starring Taron Egerton, has sold out concerts in Russia several times in the past and in 2014 published an open letter condemning the country’s “vicious” anti-gay legislation, while offering to introduce Russian President Vladimir Putin to LGBT communities. Putin later called John and offered to meet, though this was back in 2015, years before the full-on invasion of Ukraine.

We’ve reached out to EJAF and John’s reps for comment.