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Russia: Opposition figure Navalny's foundation declared 'foreign agent' | Russia: Opposition figure Navalny's foundation declared 'foreign agent' |
(30 minutes later) | |
Russia has declared opposition leader Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation a "foreign agent". | Russia has declared opposition leader Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation a "foreign agent". |
The move by the justice ministry means the organisation will now be subject to more checks by the authorities. | The move by the justice ministry means the organisation will now be subject to more checks by the authorities. |
It will also have to clearly state its "foreign agent" status on all official documents, and could be suspended. | It will also have to clearly state its "foreign agent" status on all official documents, and could be suspended. |
Mr Navalny, who has led nationwide protests against President Vladimir Putin's rule, denied his foundation had received "foreign money". | Mr Navalny, who has led nationwide protests against President Vladimir Putin's rule, denied his foundation had received "foreign money". |
The 43-year-old opposition leader, who has been arrested a number of times, describes the governing United Russia party as a group of "crooks and thieves". | The 43-year-old opposition leader, who has been arrested a number of times, describes the governing United Russia party as a group of "crooks and thieves". |
His candidacy in the 2018 presidential election was banned by authorities over his conviction by a Russian court of embezzlement, which bars him from running for office. | His candidacy in the 2018 presidential election was banned by authorities over his conviction by a Russian court of embezzlement, which bars him from running for office. |
Mr Navalny vehemently denies the accusations, saying his legal troubles are Kremlin reprisals for his fierce criticism. | Mr Navalny vehemently denies the accusations, saying his legal troubles are Kremlin reprisals for his fierce criticism. |
In a short statement, the Russian justice ministry said the decision to classify Mr Navalny's non-commercial foundation as a "foreign agent" was taken following an audit. | In a short statement, the Russian justice ministry said the decision to classify Mr Navalny's non-commercial foundation as a "foreign agent" was taken following an audit. |
It provided no further details. | |
In August, a money-laundering investigation was launched into Mr Navalny's foundation, amid big street protests in Moscow against the exclusion of opposition candidates from elections to the city parliament. | |
Last month, dozens of Mr Navalny's regional offices were raided. | |
What is the 'foreign agent' law? | What is the 'foreign agent' law? |
Introduced in 2012, it requires non-profit organisations, charities and civil society groups that have foreign funding and engage in political activity in Russia to declare themselves as "foreign agents". | Introduced in 2012, it requires non-profit organisations, charities and civil society groups that have foreign funding and engage in political activity in Russia to declare themselves as "foreign agents". |
They then automatically become subject to additional requirements, and failure to meet them could result in the suspension of their activities. | They then automatically become subject to additional requirements, and failure to meet them could result in the suspension of their activities. |
Opponents accuse the Russian authorities of trying to suppress its critics and curb basic freedoms in the country. | Opponents accuse the Russian authorities of trying to suppress its critics and curb basic freedoms in the country. |
The Kremlin denies this, saying the law prevents foreign organisations from interfering in Russia's internal affairs. | The Kremlin denies this, saying the law prevents foreign organisations from interfering in Russia's internal affairs. |
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