Public Prosecutor’s Office in Kostroma identifies NGO as “foreign agent” for holding roundtable with political advisor from US Embassy

16 April 2013 Source: HRO.org (info)  Kostroma region  Freedom of association  Harassment of activists A real theatre of the absurd: Agora Human Rights Association, citing Nikolai Sorokin, chair of the board of the non-profit organisation Kostroma Civic Initiatives Support Centre, reports that legal proceedings have been instituted in Kostroma against the Centre and its executive director, Aleksandr Zamaryanov. Agora will be representing the NGO. Zamaryanov and the Centre are suspected of violating the rules governing an NGO that is acting as a foreign agent (Article 19.34 of the Code on Administrative Offences). The relevant prosecutorial decision has been forwarded to the city’s district 1 magistrates court. Aleksandr Zamaryanov faces a fine of up to 300,000 roubles, and the Centre a fine of up to 500,000 roubles. [Read more]