Putin threatens to legally acknowledge funding organizations

Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Law considers any non-governmental organization engaged in political activities and receive external financing, "a foreign agent."

The signing of the law, Putin on Saturday, despite criticism from Russian human rights organizations, which is a series of laws backed by the Kremlin's attempts to suppress dissent.

The reason for the signing of the law among the major concerns for fear of political activists to use against non-governmental organizations are important, faster after both Houses of Parliament for adoption before the start of the summer holidays.

The law requires non-governmental organizations that receive foreign funds to register with the authorities, "foreign agents". Under the law, should non-governmental organizations to allow a formal vetting process for income, accounts and administrative structure as well as the announcement of the source of income and ways of administration, in addition to the publication of a semi-annual report on activities. In case of failure of the organizations do so, officials are prosecuted and sentenced to prison for four years or a fine of up to the equivalent of 9200 dollars.

Analysts believe - according to Agence France-Presse - that the law was a response to criticisms made by the non-governmental organizations for the parliamentary elections that took place in December / December, and the presidential election that took place in March / March and was won by Putin and was followed by widespread protests against the Kremlin.

Putin has criticized Russian NGOs funded from abroad, which monitored the elections, such as the "Golos," which used the evidence collected by the opposition on electoral fraud to challenge the legality of the election.

It is noteworthy that Putin recently signed a controversial law on demonstrations and public gatherings, including stiff penalties for opponents of the government, despite criticism by rights groups for the proceedings, said it aimed to prevent the recurrence of mass demonstrations opposing the government.

Quoted by Russian news agency Interfax quoted Putin as saying "We should not be there - no way - no restrictions on the democratic rights of citizens to express their position with respect to any cases of domestic and foreign policy, including the expression through street demonstrations." "However, it should be done in a way that does not harm other citizens who do not participate in the demonstrations."

The new law allows judges to impose fines Russians substantial financial penalties and prison for longer periods, for breaches of regulations and laws that ban demonstrations and public gatherings, a more severe penalties and the severity of previous sanctions.

And fines assessed in the event of unauthorized assembly or in the case of disturbing public order during demonstrations licensed, could amount to nine thousand dollars for individuals. As for entities such as political organizations, the fine could amount to thirty thousand dollars.