The Russian government has ordered the British Council to close down its two offices outside Moscow by the beginning of January.
The Russian government has ordered the British Council to close down its two offices outside Moscow by the beginning of January.
The Russian foreign ministry said the council, which promotes British culture abroad, was operating illegally.
The Russian foreign ministry said the council, which promotes British culture abroad, was operating illegally.
The council has said its operations in Russia are within the law.
The UK government and the council said its operations in Russia were legal.
A Russian official said the move was in retaliation for the expulsion from the UK of four Russian diplomats in July as part of a dispute.
A Russian official said the move was a retaliatory measure in the ongoing dispute over the London murder of Russian exile Alexander Litvinenko.
Foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin also said the council had violated tax regulations.
Relations between the UK and Russia have worsened since the former KGB agent was murdered in November 2006.
But the council says it is fully compliant with all tax laws and operates on the basis of an agreement signed in the 1990s.
In July, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats over Moscow's refusal to extradite a key suspect in the murder.
Russia followed by expelling four British diplomats.
NGOs curbed
Russian foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said the council had violated tax regulations, among other laws.
He said the expulsion of the Russian diplomats had disrupted the preparation of a bilateral agreement to govern the operation of cultural centres in both countries.
Both the UK Foreign Office and the British Council said the council was fully compliant with tax laws and operates on the basis of an agreement signed in the 1990s.
A British Council spokeswoman said it had already closed nine regional offices three months ago, transferring operations to Russian partners.
A British Council spokeswoman said it had already closed nine regional offices three months ago, transferring operations to Russian partners.
Those closures leave the headquarters in Moscow, plus offices in St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg.
Those closures leave the headquarters in Moscow, plus offices in St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg.
The spokeswoman said the council intends to continue its operations in Russia.
The spokeswoman said the council intends to continue its operations in Russia at the three remaining offices.
Litvinenko affair
The council is a not-for-profit charity funded by the British government. Its stated purpose is to promote British culture and education and build relationships between people in the UK and other countries.
The council is a not-for-profit charity funded by the British government. Its stated purpose is to promote British culture and education and build relationships between people in the UK and other countries.
Relations between Russia and Britain have worsened since the murder of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko in London late last year.
In July, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats over Moscow's refusal to extradite a suspect in the Litvinenko killing.
Russia expelled four British diplomats in retaliation.
Moscow has acted to curb NGOs in recent years, accusing foreign governments of using them for political purposes.
Moscow has acted to curb NGOs in recent years, accusing foreign governments of using them for political purposes.
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Are you in Russia? Please send your comments by using the form below: Name
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Are you in Russia? Please send your comments by using the form below: Name
