MOSCOW, Russia – President Vladimir Putin says a consumer rights group that has cautioned Russians against traveling to Crimea is serving foreign interests.
Putin was referring to the Society for Protection of Consumer Rights, a little-known Russian watchdog that has caused uproar with its advice to Russians to stay away from the internationally recognized Ukrainian territory of Crimea that was illegally annexed by the Russian Federation in March 2014.
It warned that Russians visiting Crimea without Ukrainian authorities’ permission could face criminal punishment in Ukraine. It argued that Russia’s annexation of Crimea violated both international law and treaties Russia signed with Ukraine.
The group previously had focused on monitoring the quality of goods and services and hadn’t been involved in politics.
Russian prosecutors on Monday opened a probe against it and the government communications watchdog has blocked its website.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- Putin was referring to the Society for Protection of Consumer Rights, a little-known Russian watchdog that has caused uproar with its advice to Russians to stay away from the internationally recognized Ukrainian territory of Crimea that was illegally annexed by the Russian Federation in March 2014.
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- Russian prosecutors on Monday opened a probe against it and the government communications watchdog has blocked its website.
