Russia's Golos Has 'Foreign Agent' Status Removed

September 08, 2014

The head of the independent Russian electoral rights group Golos (Voice) says a Moscow city court has overturned a decision that the organization had to be registered as a "foreign agent" with authorities.

Grigori Melkonyants said the court accepted the appeal of Russian Human Rights Commissioner Ella Pamfilova, who asked the Moscow court to review the June decision to require the label.

Melkonyants said the decision came late on September 8.

Melkonyants said the Justice Ministry should now remove his organization from the list of foreign agents.

Melkonyants also said the fine imposed on Golos for failing to register as foreign agent should also be returned.

The Justice Ministry included Golos on the foreign agents list, saying the organization was receiving foreign funding.

Golos was established in 2000 to protect the electoral rights of Russian citizens.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and NEWSru.com