A Japanese court ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church following a government request, citing manipulative fundraising tactics that harmed followers.

The move, spurred by the investigation into Shinzo Abe’s 2022 assassination, strips the church of its legal status and tax-exempt privileges.

The church condemned the ruling as a violation of religious freedom and plans to appeal.

The case revealed deep ties between the South Korea-based church and Japan’s ruling party, dating back to Abe’s grandfather, the Associated Press has reported.

The church, long accused of pressuring followers into excessive donations, has been linked to settlements exceeding $132 million.

Written by B.C. Begley