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Russian Gay-Rights Activist Fined For Violating 'Foreign Agents' Law


People carry posters denouncing Russia's policies against homosexuality at the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade in Berlin on June 22.
People carry posters denouncing Russia's policies against homosexuality at the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade in Berlin on June 22.
MOSCOW -- The leader of a gay rights group in St. Petersburg, Russia has been fined for refusing to register as "a foreign agent.''

Anna Anisimova, the chairwoman of the Vykhod (Coming-Out) organization was fined 300,000 rubles ($9,100) on June 26 for violating the law requiring nongovernmental organizations that receive foreign funding and engage in political activity to register as foreign agents.

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The organization was fined 500,000 rubles ($15,200) on the same charge a week ago.

Vykhod's lawyer says they will appeal the court's decision, saying the organization is not involved in political activities.

Also on June 26, New-York based Human Rights Watch issued a statement criticizing Russian authorities for using the controversial legislation to "curtail a broad range of work" by nongovernmental organizations.

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"Watchdog" is a blog with a singular mission -- to monitor the latest developments concerning human rights, civil society, and press freedom. We'll pay particular attention to reports concerning countries in RFE/RL's broadcast region.

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