A Japanese court has ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church, a controversial religious group, citing allegations of financial exploitation of its followers. The ruling comes in the wake of an extensive investigation triggered by the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022, which brought renewed scrutiny to the organization.

The Tokyo District Court’s decision, announced on Tuesday, follows a request by Japan’s education and culture ministry, which accused the church of coercing members into making exorbitant donations. The ruling will strip the group of its tax-exempt status and require it to liquidate its assets, although it will still be allowed to operate in Japan.

The Unification Church, widely known as the “Moonies” due to its founder Sun Myung Moon, has had a presence in Japan since the 1960s. The organization has long been controversial for its teachings on marriage and mass wedding ceremonies. However, its financial practices have been a focal point of criticism, particularly allegations that it manipulated followers into making large financial contributions by exploiting their spiritual fears.

The case gained national attention after the suspect in Abe’s assassination confessed that he harbored resentment toward the former leader over his ties to the church. The suspect blamed the organization for bankrupting his family due to excessive donations. The incident prompted a broader investigation, in which authorities interviewed nearly 200 individuals who claimed to have been victimized by the group.

In response to the ruling, the Unification Church defended its practices, arguing that donations were a legitimate aspect of religious activities. The group retains the right to appeal the court’s decision.

The investigation into the church’s political connections also exposed deep ties between the organization and Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). A 2023 internal probe led by then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida revealed that 179 out of 379 LDP lawmakers had interacted with the group, with some receiving financial or electoral support. The revelations led to the resignation of four government ministers and sparked a national debate on the influence of religious organizations in politics.

Since last year, around 200 former followers have demanded compensation totaling 5.7 billion yen ($38.5 million), alleging they were pressured into making financial sacrifices. The legal battle over the church’s activities is expected to continue as the group fights to overturn the ruling.

The court’s decision marks a significant moment in Japan’s ongoing efforts to regulate religious organizations and protect individuals from predatory financial practices. The case’s outcome could have lasting implications for the relationship between religious groups and political institutions in the country.