The message comes two months after Grigoryj Melkonjants, one of the organization's leaders, was sentenced to five years in prison for his work. The operation has become too risky, Golos states now.
"Justice does not always win - it must be fought for. And there is always a risk of losing. That's what happened this time. Goodbye", is a final statement from the organization.
Since its founding in 2000, Golos, whose name means "voice" in Russian, has monitored and exposed violations in every major Russian election: threats against voters, manipulated ballots and other types of electoral fraud. As a result, they have been subjected to increasing pressure from the authoritarian regime in Moscow.
The 44-year-old Melkonjants was sentenced in May, despite his denial, for cooperation with a European election observer that Russia has labeled as an "undesirable organization".
"Grigoryj Melkonjants has not committed any crime - his only 'crime' was defending the right to free and fair elections in Russia", commented Amnesty on the verdict.
