Law enforcement officials search Open Russia office in Moscow
MOSCOW. April 16 (Interfax) - The Russian Interior Ministry has confirmed the Moscow office of the Open Russia public movement is being searched.
"An operation is being conducted at the office of the Open Russia movement due to information that the group's activists design and store posters, leaflets and other products containing calls to carry out extremist activities," the Interior Ministry press service told Interfax.
The press service said the information materials are believed to be intended for dissemination and public demonstration at a possible opposition rally on April 19.
"Because such actions may constitute a crime enshrined by Part 1 of Article 280 of the Russian Criminal Code (public calls for extremist activities), documents are being examined, studied and seized at the office. The premises are also being searched for other information materials and electronic software that may be relevant to the case," the source said.
Open Russia is a public and political movement founded on the initiative of businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky.