Russian Justice Ministry Seeking Closure Of Leading NGO

Police seize protesting demonstrating against a new bill on NGOs during a debate in the State Duma, 23 December 2005 (RFE/RL)

MOSCOW, 27 January 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Russian human rights activists say the Justice Ministry is seeking to close down one of Russia's biggest human rights associations, the Research Center for Human Rights.

The Federal Registration Service at the Justice Ministry says the Center has failed to provide information about its activities over for the past five years.

It has now filed a suit with a Moscow city court asking for the Center to be closed down.

The Research Center's director, Lyubov Vinogradova, told RFE/RL's Russian Service that the Ministry's claims were groundless.

The Research Center for Human Rights was set up in 1992. It groups several human rights organizations, including the Moscow Helsinki Group and the Union of Committees of Soldiers' Mothers.