The EU expects Russian authorities to urgently reconsider their decision to block a human rights organization’s access to its office. Employees of Amnesty International (AI) in Moscow have no access to their place of work, as reported on Thursday, November 3^rd in the statement published on the website of the European External Action Service (EEAS).

EU diplomats are "in contact with Amnesty International, both with the European headquarters and with staff in Moscow who claim that reasons specified by Moscow authorities for office closure are not true,” the statement of EEAS reads.

On the same day, the Foreign Ministry of France called on Russian authorities "to ensure AI, as well as other international human rights organizations, are able to continue its activities.” John Kirby, an official representative of the U.S. State Department said "We are concerned and closely monitoring the situation."

The Director of Amnesty International’s Russian branch, Sergei Nikitin, informed Interfax that payment of all bills for rent of premises was confirmed at "the so-called checking" of documents between accounting and the Moscow city property department. Nonetheless, the department refused to provide proof of payment of bills and declared the termination of the leasing contract. The situation with changing of the locks was "slyness,” Nikitin stressed. He declared that AI staff continue to work but from home.

The AI office was sealed on the morning of November 2^nd. The locks were changed. The city property department maintains that AI has rent arrears.