Amnesty international condemns search of Moscow office

The Moscow offices of Amnesty International were searched on Monday in the latest episode of what government critics say is a sustained pressure campaign against rights organizations. Sergei Nikitin, head of Amnesty’s Russia office, condemned the unannounced audit by agents from prosecutor general’s office and tax service, as “straightforward intimidation.” “We have spent the whole day communicating with state officials and made a huge number of copies of documents that the agencies already have,” Nikitin told RIA Novosti. Officials were accompanied by a crew from fiercely pro-Kremlin broadcaster NTV, which has specialized in recent years in producing lurid and sensationalist documentaries smearing government opponents. The Justice Ministry said the goal of the inspection was to ensure Amnesty was operating in accordance with its “stated aims and Russian law.” Nationwide audits into non-governmental organizations have been taking place since last month. While officials insist the inspections are routine, representatives of the groups that have been targeted say they are shocked by the intensity and occasional bizarreness of the process.