Interfax: Russian Justice Ministry withdraws claims against embattled NGOs

Kremlin and Saint Basil's

(Interfax – Moscow, November 19, 2014) The Russian Justice Ministry has withdrawn claims against two foreign agent non-commercial organizations over their reports on foreign financing; only the non-commercial organization Soldiers’ Mothers of St Petersburg will be held responsible for not presenting its report, the ministry’s press service has reported.

“The Russian Ministry of Justice had notified the Freedom of Information Foundation and the association of non-commercial organizations for the defence of voters’ rights Golos that they are summoned to the drafting of protocols on administrative violations in relation to late submission of information on the spending of funds and the use of other assets, including those received from foreign sources,” says a press service statement received by Interfax following an inquiry.

It is noted in the statement that the said non-commercial organizations last Monday [17 November] presented documents that confirmed the said reports had been posted in time.

“In relation to that, the Freedom of Information Foundation and the association of non-commercial organizations for the defence of voters’ rights Golos will not be brought to administrative responsibility by the Russian Ministry of Justice,” the statement said.

However, the Justice Ministry said, the St Petersburg regional public human rights organization Soldiers’ Mothers of St Petersburg did not fulfil its obligation to supply a report in accordance with the law on non-commercial foreign agent organizations and appealed to have the date of the protocol drafting postponed.

“The appeal was granted by the Russian Justice Ministry. The protocol drafting has been scheduled for 24 November 2014,” the statement says.

The statement said that violation of this law is punishable by an administrative fine of R10,000 to R30,000 [200 to 600 dollars] for individuals and R100,000 to R300,000 [2,000 to 6,000 dollars] for legal entities.

 

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