Russian NGOs to register as foreign agents

MOSCOW, July 21 (UPI) -- Russia passed a law Saturday that mandates all politically active non-government organizations with foreign funding to be classed as "foreign agents."

Under the new law, NGOs with funding from abroad would have to publish a biannual report on their activities and carry out an annual financial audit, RIA Novosti reported. Non-compliance with the law could mean up to four years in jail or a $9,200 fine.

President Vladimir Putin signed off on the law as human rights activists criticized the government of using Kremlin-backed laws to suppress the opposition.