Russia: Sakharov Center fined for violating 'foreign agents' law
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 30 September 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Sakharov Center fined for violating 'foreign agents' law, 30 September 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/561d04e021.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| 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. |
September 30, 2015
A Russian court has fined Moscow's Sakharov Center for not complying with the controversial "foreign agents" law.
A Moscow court fined the nongovernmental organization 400,000 rubles ($6,000) on September 30 for failing to label itself a "foreign agent" in one of its articles posted online.
In December 2014, the Sakharov Center was fined 300,000 ($4,550) for the same "violation."
A law adopted in 2012 requires any nongovernmental organization that receives funding from abroad and engages in political activity to formally register as a "foreign agent."
Amendments introduced to the law last year allow the Justice Ministry to forcefully add NGOs to the list of "foreign agents."
In July, the Justice Ministry warned 12 NGOs deemed as "foreign agents," including the Sakharov Center, saying they faced "administrative liability measures" – fines severe enough to shut down almost any Russian NGO.
Based on reporting by Interfax and TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
