Consideration of lawsuit of HRC "Memorial" on abolishment of requirement to get registered as foreign agent postponed

Today, the Zamoskvoretskiy District Court of Moscow has failed to consider the claim lodged by the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" on challenging the demand of the Moscow Prosecutor's Office that had prescribed the HRC to get registered as a foreign agent. The claimants have petitioned to adjourn the session; and the judge postponed it until February 4.

Let us remind you that the preliminary hearing on the case was transferred twice; and the consideration on the merits was also postponed several times, including because of the judge's illness.

Today, the adjournment of the session was asked by the HRC, which argued that the documents on the case are pending at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg. The HRC's officials have also referred to the conclusion of the Commissioner of the Council of Europe on the need to refrain from the use of the law on foreign agents until the decision of the Constitutional Court of Russia, or of the ECtHR, the "Interfax" reports.

Let us note here that the off-the-schedule inspection of the HRC "Memorial", which is a part of the Historical, Educational and Human Rights Society "Memorial", and is engaged in protection of human rights, including in Northern Caucasus, was initiated by the Moscow Prosecutor's Office, with the participation of employees from the Ministry of Justice and Tax Inspectorate, on March 26. Following the inspection, the Office demanded from the HRC to get registered as a foreign agent. However, the HRC "Memorial" treated the demand as illegal and lodged a complaint to the Zamoskvoretskiy Court of Moscow.