The European Union considers the restrictions on the independent civil society in Russia becoming tighter with the decision of Russian Justice Ministry to include the Levada Center in the list of the non-governmental organizations functioning as foreign agents.
“Targeting the activities of the Levada Center, Russia’s leading non-governmental polling and sociological research organization, is of particular concern ahead of the State Duma elections of 18 September,” the European External Action Service spokesperson said in a statement published in Brussels on Tuesday.
The number of Russian non-governmental organizations labeled as “foreign agents” in Russia has increased to a total of 141 since the relevant law entered into force in 2012, the statement said.
