Watchdog

Russian lawmakers are asking authorities to consider broadening the country's controversial "foreign agent" law to include nongovernmental organizations that receive funding from Russian citizens with foreign income sources.

The proposal was floated in Russia's upper chamber of parliament, which is dominated by the ruling United Russia party, during a June 7 hearing on alleged foreign "interference" that featured heated denunciations of the West by top officials.

It comes amid escalating warnings by officials in Moscow that Western governments are seeking to sow discord in Russia ahead of the March 2018 presidential election, which is expected to hand President Vladimir Putin a fourth term.

If enacted, the proposal would broaden the criteria under which NGOs could be deemed a "foreign agent" under a 2013 law impacting organizations that receive funding from abroad and are deemed to be engaged in political activity.

Under the current law, such funding is applicable only if it is from foreign governments, organizations, or citizens.

The new proposal would broaden those financing sources to include Russian citizens who receive money or assets from foreign governments, organizations, or citizens.

Lawmakers on June 7 recommended that Russian state financial regulators and law-enforcement authorities examine the proposal.

Russian and international human rights organizations say the 2013 law was introduced to silence independent voices.

Kremlin opponents say authorities are trying to further tighten control over dissenting voices and the political landscape ahead of the March 2018 presidential election.

Based on reporting by rbc.ru, Interfax, RIA Novosti, and TASS

ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- A court in Kazakhstan has sentenced fugitive tycoon and opposition figure Mukhtar Ablyazov to 20 years in prison, after an in-absentia trial Ablyazov called "a farce."

The court in Almaty convicted Ablyazov on June 7 of organizing and leading a criminal group, abuse of office, embezzlement, and financial mismanagement. It issued the sentence the same day.

One of Ablyazov's three lesser-known co-defendants, who were present at the trial, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The other two were given suspended sentences.

Ablyazov, who has been living in self-imposed exile in Europe since 2009, dismissed the result of what he said was a "false" trial and a farce.

Speaking to RFE/RL hours after his verdict and sentence were pronounced, he said that he would advise his lawyer "not to waste time challenging the ruling."

"Nobody will trust that court's ruling. The ruling has no power in the West," Ablyazov said. "I do not care what sort of decision they are making there about me. Because this trial is false."

Investigators say Ablyazov and his subordinates embezzled some $5 billion while running BTA Bank in Kazakhstan. Ablyazov denies it, contending that the case against him is politically motivated.

Ablyazov, who is also wanted in Russia, was arrested in France in 2013 after months on the run.

He was released from jail on December 9 after France's highest administrative court canceled an order for his extradition to Russia, saying Moscow had made the request for political reasons.

Several politicians and activists have fled Kazakhstan in recent years, fearing for their safety or anticipating politically motivated prosecution.

President Nursultan Nazarbaev, who has held power in the Central Asian state since before the 1991 Soviet breakup, tolerates little dissent.