Tax Inspectors Probe Khodorkovsky’s Foundation

Tax officials have started to check the social organization Open Russia chaired by former head of the Yukos oil company, Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

The tax inspectors are also checking 23 of Open Russia’s partner organizations including the Institute for Independent Elections, the Glasnost Defense Foundation. Open Russia said in a statement that there was nothing unusual about the new check but it was the fourth one in 18 months. The organization called this an “exceptional” fact.

The first check was carried out in November 2003 but later it was halted. Since Feb. 15, the tax inspectors have been checking the company’s activities for 2003 and 2004.

The new inspection seems to be wider than it was before and it started a month and a half before the tax accounting deadline.

Open Russia was established in late 2001 with a view to promoting civil society in Russia.

(From MosNews, 02.25.2005)