Russian Court Shuts Down Two NGOs

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a controversial bill this year that restricts NGOs (file photo) (CTK) 16 January 2006 -- A Russian court has ordered two foreign non-governmental organizations -- NGOs -- to shut down their offices in the southern region of Ingushetia.

The prosecutor's office in the city of Rostov-On-Don said the NGOs did not have the proper authorization.

The decision affects a British charity involved in peace building and a German humanitarian group, HELP, involved in assisting war refugees from Chechnya who live in Ingushetia.

Russia has been cracking down on NGOs in recent months. Media reports say the Kremlin is concerned over the role NGOs played in recent popular revolutions in Georgia and Ukraine.

(AP)