Russia clamps down: New laws target critics, asset seizures loom
Russia intensifies repression: for "discrediting" the army, cooperating with undesirable organizations, and calling for sanctions, there is a threat of imprisonment, asset confiscation, and trials in absentia. The Duma unanimously passes a package of laws targeting regime critics.
State Duma deputies approved the tightening of penalties for "discrediting" the army, calling for sanctions against Russia, and cooperating with international organizations not recognized by the authorities.
War on "deserters." Russia wants to try them in absentia
They also approved expanding the grounds for being labeled a "foreign agent" and sanctioned a list of charges that can be tried in absentia. All three legislative proposals were unanimously passed in the first reading on April 2nd.
According to the law, "discrediting" the army or supporting the implementation of decisions by international organizations against Russia's interests will be punishable by up to 7 years of imprisonment if these "crimes" were committed "for financial gain or on request."
If a citizen similarly motivated calls for sanctions, they face up to 5 years in prison. In all three cases, asset confiscation will apply.
Whoever fled is an enemy: Duma goes after "internal enemies"
The second legislative project allows for in absentia trials of citizens who have left Russia, in relation to 20 types of crimes. This includes charges like "discrediting" the army, spreading military "fake news," "rehabilitating Nazism," and "destroying war graves and monuments."
In absentia trials will also be held for those who call for terrorism, extremism, separatism, mass riots, waging an aggressive war, sanctions, or violating Russia's territorial integrity; fail to comply with duties as a "foreign agent"; and participate in the activities or financing of "undesirable organizations."
The third legislative project expands the criteria for being included in the registry of "foreign agents." The authorities plan to assign this status for "supporting the implementation of decisions" by international organizations or foreign state bodies if they are directed "against Russia's security."
For instance, this applies to individuals advocating for the arrest of President Vladimir Putin based on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant in The Hague, issued due to the forced deportation of Ukrainian children. Those who engage citizens in gathering military or military-technical information that could be used against the country's security will also be declared "foreign agents."
Another basis will be funding any of the activities mentioned above.
"Deserters and all kinds of outcasts"
The Chairman of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, stated that the legislative package is aimed at those who "cowardly fled abroad and from there continue to harm" Russia. According to him, "they should understand that they will have to answer for it and will not be able to avoid justice."
Meanwhile, a co-author of the legislative projects, Chairman of the Duma's security committee Vasily Piskaryov, noted that recently, "deserters and all kinds of outcasts" have intensified their activities abroad, cooperating with organizations that intend to harm Russia.
He cited the ICC and the George Clooney Foundation as alleged examples, supposedly providing expatriates with "a stable source of income." Piskaryov also mentioned so-called resource centers that help Russians who have gone abroad to settle down—allegedly in exchange for participation in "anti-Russian" activities.
