Human Rights chief denied Russian visa

MOSCOW, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- The head of the international rights group Human Rights Watch has been denied a Russian visa, silencing his critical report.

Kenneth Roth, executive director of the New York-based group, had planned to present a report in Moscow accusing authorities of shackling non-governmental organizations with burdensome regulations.

But, his visa application was rejected by consular officials. He said the agency he uses had erroneously listed him as a tourist. Roth accused the Foreign Ministry of manipulating his visa application.

"It is a good example of how the Russian government uses onerous regulations to harass and try to silence non-governmental organizations that address sensitive issues," he told the Moscow Times by phone from Washington.