The human rights organization “Voice” were searched – Executives seized office equipment, office work is virtually paralyzed. Experts attribute the coming of investigators forthcoming September regional elections. “The Voice” for 15 years, is preparing observers and monitors the legality of the will of the citizens of the whole of Russia.
In the apartments of the leaders of the association “The Voice” Gregory Melkonyants and Roman Udot were searched. Investigators seize documents and equipment in the Moscow office of the association. As part of the already conducted a search of employees “Voices,” as reported “Gazeta.ru” lawyer Olga Gnezdilova organization, also took computers. Conducting a search Gnezdilova will challenge on formal grounds – in the search warrant, which came investigators Set the actual address that is different from the legal. However, investigators have ignored these comments. And even in spite of having in order, did not allow her to participate in the search of the flat Melkonyants.
«investigator just pushed me out the door, saying it would not allow me to the presence of a search warrant. So the search in the apartment was without a lawyer present. This is a flagrant violation of all legal norms “, – says Gnezdilova.
However, Grigory Melkonyants already received a summons for questioning, which is scheduled for tomorrow. Roman Udot questioned today. Conducted searches in Moscow – the development of the criminal case against the head of the organization “Voice-Volga” Lyudmila Kuzmina. In 2012, her organization has received funding from the association “The Voice.” According to investigators, the money transferred to the Association were originally obtained from the American state agency USAID, and therefore should be taxed. Total company accused of tax evasion in the amount of 2 million 210 thousand. Rub.
Now the court decision on property Ludmila Kuzmina – Samara apartment and a car Daewoo Matiz – seized. Association “Voice” in 2013 became the first Russian organization recognized by the courts foreign agent. “Voice-Volga region” in 2015, suffered the same fate (Samara organization was also sentenced to a fine for failure to enroll in the registry).
The head of the organization Ludmila Kuzmina in a conversation with “Gazetoy.Ru” no doubt in the political sense of action undertaken.
«This is simply an attempt to pressure the organization with the case, which is deprived of the legal sense” – Mrs. Kuzmin.
The criminal case was filed against the company at the request of tax authorities in the autumn of last year, while, according to Kuzmin, Samara SC twice tried to evade this case, taking it to the district level as a minor.
«It is clear that if such a situation, all-business still rises to the top, then this is done by phone calls the authorities “, – Kuzmin continues. She is now trying to challenge the assessed tax claims in arbitration. One of the grounds for challenging due to the fact that the “Voice-Samara” has not received funds from USAID, as I did not conclude with him any financial instruments. The funds were transferred as a donation to the association is “The Voice”. The association also paid itself with once received from USAID funds necessary taxes. Thus, human rights activists, we are talking about double taxation.
However, the arbitration counted differently: two sessions of the Arbitration Court of the Samara region, all complaints were rejected. According to Kuzmin, the defendants built their evidence base is not on the tax law.
«In the arguments of judges featured links to the National Security Strategy of Russia until 2020, and other similar documents, which describes external threats – says the head of” Voice-Volga “. – As a result, the court ruled that we are acting in the interests of the United States, which means that our work is not socially useful and, therefore, the money is not a donation, and payment services ».
a new trial to be held in the Arbitration Court of the Volga Federal District on 30 July. Ludmila Kuzmina explains that Melkonyants had no relation to the signing of financial documents “Voice-Volga”: “He spoke only of our organization auditor. All contracts concluded in my name. So I do not really understand why it should be searched and questioned. ”
The lawyer Ramil Ahmetgaliev also representing the interests of the association “The Voice”, draws attention to the fact that in the case of tax evasion statute of limitations.
«The term of such cases – two years. As a general rule do in this case is stopped on the treatment of the applicant. An exception is made for the crimes of the utmost gravity, when decision is made by the court – explains Ahmetgaliev. – Our application the court rejected. In a sense, the tax on such cases it can be considered as a precedent. ”
Phones and Melkonyants Udot not respond. According to Ludmila Kuzmina, a new round of business connected with the preparation for regional elections.
«The authorities seem to be afraid of any form of independent monitoring of elections. Therefore, the “Voice” as the most well-known organizations, to engage in such monitoring, it is necessary to keep on a hook ».
The representatives of the political opposition believe that the searches are connected with the September regional elections.
«Elections in Russia: 90 days before the voting day shall be appointed by election, 75 days begins collecting signatures for 60 days starting searches in the” voice “- tweeted a member of the Progress Party CA Leonid Volkov.
«All the interesting and odd – it seems someone completely blown away” – even harder to put facebook analyst Alexander Kanev.
The head of the Political expert group Konstantin Kalachev believes that the upcoming elections to the authorities and so safe. Therefore, most likely, the searches conducted in the framework of tightening trend in the regulation of NGOs.
«The Voice” – one of the brightest and promoted the part of representatives of NGOs, which are perceived by the authorities as agents of foreign influence, – says Kalachev. – Certainly, these preventive actions will be reflected in the activity of “Voices” in 2016. The election of the State Duma, he may be able to polurazobrannom and no money ».
Coordinator Supervisory movement” Sonar “Andriy Skorokhod considers that searches in the” Voice “- it is in any case not amateur Samara police and the decision of the federal authorities.
«Samara found something to complain about (although from a legal and tax point of view, unfairly) to go to the head office, – says the expert. – May want to find something for exponential flogging. Although the situation is, of course, in itself annoying. I do not want to, and came to me at five in the morning with a search warrant. ”
The human rights organization “The Voice” is engaged in monitoring elections and compliance with the electoral law. It is based in 2000 and has experience in numerous monitoring of federal and regional elections. She cooked monitors capable qualified to monitor and record violations of election observer training. Since 2011, the organization was subjected to fierce criticism from the pro-government media for funding from the USAID. It is “The Voice” in 2013 became the first organization recognized by court foreign agent. Recently, the association is experiencing great difficulties in financing their projects and trying to raise funds through crowdfunding. 
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