Director expects Supreme Court to shut down independent sociological institute :: Charter'97 :: News

The director of an embattled independent sociological institute predicted that the Supreme Court would likely take sides with the authorities in a controversial case against the organization.

The justice ministry wants the Independent Institute for Social, Economic and Political Studies (IISEPS) closed down over what it describes as multiple irregularities. In particular, the sociological institute has been accused of failure to provide its questionnaire forms to the authorities in violation of the NGOs Law. In addition, the ministry alleges that the organization, registered as a national public association, has a membership of less than 10 people and therefore should be stripped of its national status.

The IISEPS also has been accused of renting its office at a place different from its legal address and attempting to influence public sentiments.

“One can predict with a high degree of certainty that the Supreme Court will order our organization liquidated tomorrow,” IISEPS Director Oleg Manayev said in an interview with BelaPAN on April 12.

Dr. Manayev described the ministry’s accusations as unfounded, noting that a justice ministry representative even had to withdraw some of them during the court hearing.

However, the institute’s head expressed confidence that the decision to shut down the IISEPS had already been made, adding that the staff have been bracing for an unfavorable ruling.

A ruling in the case is expected to be announced on Wednesday afternoon.