At least one leading daily, Kommersant, said the Russian government strongly opposed the Council's North Caucasus Educational Initiative program, which promotes English-language teaching and vocational education for children and young people in the region. It said local prosecutors had opened a case over unpaid taxes the day before Russian President Vladimir Putin was due to meet with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London.
However, the Foreign Ministry rejected any such link, saying such claims were "a blatant attempt simply to misinform public opinion on the issue of the situation with the British Council, including the timing of the case's opening."
The British Council, which promotes the English language, educational opportunities, and cultural relations around the world, is under investigation in both Moscow and St. Petersburg for failing to pay taxes on revenue earned through its English teaching programs in Russia.
Criminal proceedings over un-paid taxes are being resolved "by both sides, in accordance with Russian law," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
