Russian Rights Activist Pamfilova Summoned For Questioning

Ella Pamfilova (file photo)

Russian human rights advocate Ella Pamfilova, who formerly headed the presidential human rights council, has been summoned for questioning by the Investigative Committee.

Pamfilova made the statement in an interview on Dozhd television on July 15, saying she must appear before investigators the following day.

Pamfilova said she does not know what the Investigative Committee wants to question her about.

Pamfilova, together with current presidential human rights council head Mikhail Fedotov and presidential human rights ombudsman Vladimir Lukin, met with President Vladimir Putin last week.

It was announced then that she would head the government mechanism for distributing state funds to nongovernmental organizations.

Russia has been sharply criticized in recent months for cracking down on NGOs, especially for a new law that requires those receiving foreign funding to register as "foreign agents."