The European University was fined under the article on participation in the activities of an “undesirable” organization because of books in the student library

The Dzerzhinsky District Court of St. Petersburg fined the European University because of books in the library published by “undesirable” organizations. This was reported by the joint press service of the city courts.

The university was found guilty under the administrative article of participation in the activities of an “undesirable” organization (20.33 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). According to two protocols, the fine totaled 70 thousand rubles.

As stated in the court decision, books published with the participation of the Open Society Assistance Foundation Institute, part of the Soros Foundation and the Kennan Institute of the Woodrow Wilson Center, until recently were in the university library, and any owner could have access to them library card.

The university itself previously stated that the books were published long before the law on “undesirable organizations,” and after its adoption, the literature was placed in a “special closed fund” and was not issued to anyone.

• The European University was founded in St. Petersburg in 1994, the university was initially funded by grants from American and European NGOs. In 2016, the university was deprived of its license for educational activities for a year after an inspection by the prosecutor’s office and Rosobrnadzor. Since then, inspections have been carried out there regularly.