The European Union and the French Foreign Ministry are concerned about closing Amnesty International office in Moscow. The reason, as the Russian authorities claim, they sealed the office, is evasion from paying rents.  Amnesty personnel claims that the organization submitted a request to check the payment, but it will be discussed only after 3 weeks. Brussels and the French Embassy in Moscow voice complaints concerning closing Amnesty office in Moscow.

"We are in contact with Amnesty International, both at their European HQ and in Moscow, who maintain that the reasons provided by the Moscow authorities are wholly inaccurate," reads the statement by the spokesman of Europe's foreign policy.

" France calls on the Russian authorities to ensure that Amnesty International, as well as the other international organizations that defend human rights, be able to pursue their activities,” says the statement of the French Foreign Ministry.  At the same time, Amnesty's Russian office claims that the Department of Property confirmed that the organization does not owe any payment.