AKIPRESS.COM - Hungary's parliament has approved a law imposing strict regulations on foreign-funded non-government organisations, BBC reported.
The new rules increase reporting requirements for the groups, which risk closure for non-compliance.
Critics say the move is a crackdown on independent voices and an attempt to stigmatise the organisations.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused foreign-funded NGOs, in particular those supported by American billionaire George Soros, of domestic interference.
Groups receiving more than €24,000 ($26,000; £21,000) will have to register as "foreign-supported organisation".
Mr Orban's right-wing government says the measures aim at improving transparency and fighting money laundering and terrorism funding.
But the rules are seen as targeting Hungarian-born Mr Soros, who for decades has given away billions of dollars to promote a liberal, "open society" culture, and has founded the prestigious Central European University.
Mr Orban sees Mr Soros as an ideological enemy, and has declared a battle against liberalism. In April, parliament approved a bill that threatens to close the CEU.