The Moscow offices of two influential human rights groups were vandalized on Wednesday, the first day a controversial new law on non-governmental organizations (NGO) came into effect.

      The entrances to the offices of Memorial and For Human Rights were spray-painted with the words “Foreign Agent,” along with a heart shape next to “USA”. It was discovered by the offices' workers who came to work on Wednesday morning.

      The law which took effect on Wednesday requires Russian NGOs working in the political sphere and receiving financial help rom abroad to register as “foreign agents.” The law was widely criticized by Russian human rights activists and considered to be an attempt to further stifle civil society.