Russia: Police search Moscow offices of Khodorkovsky-founded organization
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 16 April 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Police search Moscow offices of Khodorkovsky-founded organization, 16 April 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5565ba0415.html [accessed 4 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 16, 2015
By RFE/RL
Russian police on April 16 searched the Moscow offices of Open Russia, a pro-democracy initiative founded by the exiled Russian tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Open Russia said several police officers entered the organization's Moscow office after presenting a search warrant.
Open Russia released a copy of the search warrant, which accused the organization of planning to print leaflets calling for "extremist activities."
The search warrant also alleged that Open Russia was planning to distribute the leaflets at an opposition rally in Moscow on April 19.
Khodorkovsky's press secretary Olga Pispanen told Dozhd TV that the group never planned to take part in the April 19 rally.
Russian opposition groups announced on April 15 that they would hold single-person actions in Moscow on April 19 rather than gathering together for a mass protest rally, which requires approval from authorities.
Khodorkovsky currently resides in Switzerland after serving more than 10 years in a Russian jail on embezzlement charges.
He maintains his innocence and says authorities filed politically motivated charges against him because of his opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
With additional reporting by tvrain.ru
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
