Russian court shuts pro-Kremlin youth group

VORONEZH. December 20. KAZINFORM A court in the central Russian city of Voronezh has ordered the closure of the regional office of the pro-Kremlin youth group, Nashi, RIA Novosti reported.

The group, set up in 2005 to prevent a "color" revolution in Russia, had repeatedly violated a federal law controlling the activities of "public organizations."

The ruling took effect on December 9, a statement on the website of Voronezh's office of the Justice Ministry said.

Thousands of Nashi activists were bussed into Moscow on the eve of the December 4 disputed parliamentary election.

After the vote, which saw Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's ruling United Russia party struggle to hang onto its parliamentary majority amid widespread reports of fraud, the group has been deployed to counter opposition protests demanding a re-run.

Nashi has yet to officially comment.