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Kremlin Labels Opposition-Led Foundation a 'Foreign Agent'

Charles Maynes

   MOSCOW - Russian authorities say they intend to add an opposition-run
   anti-corruption foundation to a list of so-called "foreign agents"
   operating in the country -- potentially curtailing the operations of
   one of the Kremlin's fiercest critics.

   In a statement released Wednesday, Russia's Justice Ministry said an
   audit of the Anti-Corruption Foundation -- a non-governmental
   organization run by opposition leader Alexey Navalny -- showed the
   organization was receiving foreign funding to maintain its operations.

   The move puts the group, commonly known by its Russian acronym FBK,
   afoul of Russia's so-called "foreign agents" law -- a controversial
   2012 measure the Kremlin says is necessary to protect Russian
   sovereignty and that civil society leaders argue tars NGOs as traitors
   and spies.

   Formally, the designation opens up the FBK to increased scrutiny by
   authorities -- as well as fines and possible suspension of its
   operations.

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