Russia's Golos voter rights group says dissolving itself, setting up new entity
MOSCOW. June 26 (Interfax) - Russian voter rights association Golos (Voice), which was put under a six-month ban on Wednesday for refusing to register as a "foreign agent," is disbanding itself and its leadership is setting up a new nongovernmental organization, one of its leaders said.
"The decision of the Justice Ministry didn't come as news to us, we had expected it. It will have absolutely no effect on our plans to set up a new nonprofit organization," Golos deputy director Grigory Melkonyants told Interfax.
He said that, foreseeing problems with the authorities, Golos had decided to disband itself.
"At the moment we are not involved in any activities, we are going through the liquidation procedure, are setting up a new public association and are getting ready to have it registered," Melkonyants said.
He also told about Golos' planned disbandment on Tuesday, adding: "It's not a fast process, it'll take no less than two months."
Earlier on Wednesday, the Justice Ministry said in a statement made available to Interfax that Golos had "failed to apply for inclusion in the register of nonprofit organizations performing the functions of a foreign agent."
The statement pointed out that under the law "On Non-Profit Organizations," the suspension of a "foreign agent" automatically involves "the suspension of its rights to found media of mass communications" and organize public events.
The same law also forbids such groups from using their bank deposits for purposes other than current logistical expenses, commitments under employment agreements, loss compensation, and the payment of taxes, levies and fines, the statement mentioned.
A Moscow court backed the Justice Ministry's demand that Golos register as a "foreign agent," fining the group 300,000 rubles and its director, Lilia Shibanova, 100,000 rubles.
Golos denies receiving any funding from abroad and says will not reek "foreign agent" status for this reason. It has repeatedly warned it may dissolve itself and set up a new nongovernmental organization instead.
"This is the route we have decided to go: first we would set up a public association that needs no legal registration. On its basis we will work until we manage to get a new nonprofit organization registered," Melkonyants told Interfax on Tuesday.
Both groups would have "Golos" in their names, he said. "It would be a renewed Golos, which is similar to what we had, but undoubtedly with some distinctions."
Earlier, Melkonyants said the planned new group's founding meeting would elect its leader and decide on its legal status.
