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Russia NGO law: Election watchdog Golos fined | Russia NGO law: Election watchdog Golos fined |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Election watchdog Golos has become the first non-governmental organisation (NGO) to be fined in Russia under a controversial new law. | Election watchdog Golos has become the first non-governmental organisation (NGO) to be fined in Russia under a controversial new law. |
A Moscow court ruled Golos had failed to declare itself as a "foreign agent" after receiving funds from abroad after the law took effect in November. | A Moscow court ruled Golos had failed to declare itself as a "foreign agent" after receiving funds from abroad after the law took effect in November. |
It was fined the sum of 300,000 roubles (£6,200; $9,500; 6,300 euros). | It was fined the sum of 300,000 roubles (£6,200; $9,500; 6,300 euros). |
The NGO said it had returned the money - a prize for its human rights work - as soon as it entered its account. | The NGO said it had returned the money - a prize for its human rights work - as soon as it entered its account. |
It also denied being involved in political activity. | It also denied being involved in political activity. |
It says it will appeal against the verdict. | |
Golos, which received assistance in the past from the US government development agency USAID, insists it no longer accepts foreign funding. | Golos, which received assistance in the past from the US government development agency USAID, insists it no longer accepts foreign funding. |
Now in its 13th year, the NGO did much to expose fraud at the 2011 parliamentary election, when it charted abuses across Russia, notably through its online "map of violations". | Now in its 13th year, the NGO did much to expose fraud at the 2011 parliamentary election, when it charted abuses across Russia, notably through its online "map of violations". |
'Rushing to conclusions' | 'Rushing to conclusions' |
The accusation concerned a sum of 7,728.4 euros awarded by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee as part of its Andrei Sakharov Freedom prize. | The accusation concerned a sum of 7,728.4 euros awarded by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee as part of its Andrei Sakharov Freedom prize. |
Golos says the money entered one of its accounts in December before it had time to decline it, and the sum was later returned unused. | Golos says the money entered one of its accounts in December before it had time to decline it, and the sum was later returned unused. |
It accused the Russian justice ministry of "rushing to conclusions". | It accused the Russian justice ministry of "rushing to conclusions". |
"The Golos association receives no foreign funding and is funded solely by Russian resources," it said in a recent statement. | "The Golos association receives no foreign funding and is funded solely by Russian resources," it said in a recent statement. |
Under the new law, NGOs involved in political activity which are funded from abroad must register as "foreign agents". | Under the new law, NGOs involved in political activity which are funded from abroad must register as "foreign agents". |
Presenting the case on Thursday, the justice ministry's representative did not specify what political activity Golos was suspected of conducting, the Russian news website lenta.ru reports. | Presenting the case on Thursday, the justice ministry's representative did not specify what political activity Golos was suspected of conducting, the Russian news website lenta.ru reports. |
"We are convinced of our innocence," Golos said before the verdict. "This is the first court hearing bringing to responsibility an organisation that is purportedly a foreign agent. The fate of many other NGOs will depend on the decision." | "We are convinced of our innocence," Golos said before the verdict. "This is the first court hearing bringing to responsibility an organisation that is purportedly a foreign agent. The fate of many other NGOs will depend on the decision." |
Tax inspectors have been scrutinising the finances of other Russian NGOs in recent months. | Tax inspectors have been scrutinising the finances of other Russian NGOs in recent months. |
USAID was expelled from Russia in September after being accused of attempting to "influence political processes through its grants", which had totalled $3bn. | USAID was expelled from Russia in September after being accused of attempting to "influence political processes through its grants", which had totalled $3bn. |
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