MOSCOW, April 9 - RAPSI. The Justice Ministry has launched proceedings in the administrative case against the Golos association, an NGO for the protection of voters rights, the ministry's press service reported on Tuesday.

This is the first administrative case launched against an NGO following the adoption of the so-called "foreign agents law."

According to the statement, the association receives foreign financing and performs political activity in Russia. Thus, under the law, the NGO qualifies as a foreign agent. However, it has yet to submit an application to be included in the registry of non-commercial organizations operating as foreign agents.

"The administrative offense protocols have been drawn up in regards to the association and Executive Director Liliya Shibanova," statement said.

On Wednesday, the protocols will be forwarded to the court for consideration.

The association is financed from abroad, the ministry reported on its website, citing the Federal Financial Monitoring Service. "The public campaigns and events held by the association to promote the draft electoral code aim to influence decisions taken by state bodies and to form public opinion," the ministry said.

The Association of Non-Profit Organizations “In Defense of Voters’ Rights «GOLOS»“ is a Russian non-profit organization which was founded in 2000 for the protection of Russian voters’ rights and the development of civic society, the association's website reads.