Duma targets regime critics with harsh new legal measures
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 accepted by the authorities.
War on "deserters": Russia wants to try them in absentia
They also gave the green light to expanding the grounds for being recognized as a "foreign agent" and approved a list of articles under which in absentia trials can be conducted. All three legislative projects were unanimously passed in the first reading on April 2nd at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.
According to the law, "discrediting" the army or supporting the implementation of decisions by international organizations against the interests of Russia will be punishable by up to 7 years imprisonment if these "crimes" were committed "for financial gain or on request."
If a citizen was similarly motivated by calling for sanctions, they face punishment of up to 5 years in prison. In all three cases, there will be asset confiscation.
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 connection with 20 types of crimes. This includes "discrediting" the army, spreading military "fake news," "rehabilitating Nazism," and "destroying war graves and monuments."
In absentia trials will also be conducted for those who call for terrorism, extremism, separatism, mass riots, waging an aggressive war, sanctions, violating the territorial integrity of Russia; evading duties as a "foreign agent," and participating in or financing activities of "undesirable organizations."
The third legislative project expands the list of grounds for being added to the register of "foreign agents." The authorities intend to give this status to individuals "supporting the implementation of decisions" by international organizations or foreign state bodies if they are directed "against Russia's security."
For example, 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 will also be declared "foreign agents" who engage citizens in gathering military or military-technical information that might be used against the country's security.
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 directed 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 want to harm Russia.
He cited the ICC and the George Clooney Foundation as examples, allegedly providing expatriates with "a stable source of income." Piskaryov also talked about so-called resource centres that help Russians who have gone abroad to settle down – allegedly in exchange for participation in "anti-Russian" activities.
