Though it must be said, not because they particularly want to. They're operating illegally because they failed to meet a dealine set by the Russian authorities that allows any NGO to function within the country, reportedly because the Russian officials kept changing the required documentation until the dealine had passed. The reported purpose of the law is to allow the Russian government to 'monitor' the conduct of the NGOs within their border, on top of the reported physical harassment and police pressure many of them currently face. Why? Apparently to keep track of the "foreign puppet masters" that control them, according to President Putin.
On the Georgian issue, the EU has stated its "grave concern" over the economic effects of the Russian economic embargo of Georgia, and asked the Russia not continue measures to target Georgians within their territory. Human rights organisations note that some of the Georgians expelled from Russia were there legally, and issued leaked documents showing St Petersburg police orders to put pressure on the judges dealing with deportation cases.
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