The? U.S. Embassy in? Moscow has expressed "great concern" about reports that government inspectors have recently searched hundreds of? nongovernmental organizations, including prominent human rights groups, and? asked the? Kremlin for? an explanation.
"We are following reports of? the unprecedented inspections of? NGOs taking place across Russia with great concern. The? embassy has shared its concerns with the? government and? asked for? clarity as to? the purpose of? the inspections," the? embassy said in? Twitter messages late Thursday.
The? presidential human rights council also questioned the? legality and? purpose of? the "mass searches" in? a letter to? Prosecutor General posted on? the on? Friday.
Prosecutors have said the? searches were aimed at? battling "extremism," but the? involvement of? fire, tax, labor and? other inspectors helped create the? impression that "the purpose of? the searches is to? discover any kind of? infraction," a? group of? council members wrote.
They added that it was "essential" to? hold a? special meeting with representatives of? the prosecutor's office in? the near future to? discuss the? methods and? results of? the searches.
Prominent human rights group Memorial and? vote monitor Golos have been among hundreds of? NGOs in? at least 10 regions to? face unannounced inspections in? recent weeks.
Inspectors conducted a? second day of? searches at? Memorial on? Friday and? promised a? third visit this week, the? organization's leader, Arseny Roginsky, told Interfax.
The? prosecutor's office has said the? checks were part of? the agency's plan for? the first six months of? this year, but did not elaborate.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.