MOSCOW, June 28 (RAPSI) - Non-commercial partnership "Supporting Competition in the CIS Countries" is the first organization in Russia to register as a foreign agent in accordance with a law passed last year requiring NGOs funded from abroad to declare their status.

The entry was posted on June 27 on an online registry on the Justice Ministry's website.

"On June 27, the ministry took the decision to include the non-profit partnership into the register of NGOs acting as foreign agents," the ministry reported.

Under a controversial law approved by President Vladimir Putin last year, NGOs funded from abroad and engaged in political activities are required to register as foreign agents, or face fines of up to 500,000 rubles ($16,000) for NGOs and up to 300,000 rubles ($10,000) for directors of NGOs. 

However, until recently, no organizations have applied for registration.

According to the organization's website, it was registered with the Justice Ministry on December 23, 2009 as a non-profit partnership specializing in competition issues and works to participate in drafting an effective state policy with regard to protecting and encouraging competition and competition-related lawmaking.