President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Wednesday authorizing the government to seize property, bank deposits and money in the accounts of Russians living abroad if they are accused of acting against Russia’s interests. TASR writes about it according to a report by the TASS agency and The Moscow Times.
- Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing to secure the property of Russians living abroad.
- The new legislation also affects the discrediting of the army and calls for sanctions.
- Previously, foreign residents were only responsible for the activities of foreign agents.
- Authorities can seize property as soon as a person is formally accused.
- Volodin called the law necessary to protect Russian soldiers in Ukraine.
The law takes effect on September 1 and targets a wide range of crimes including “discrediting” the Russian military, calling for sanctions against Russia, violating “foreign agent” laws, associating with an “undesirable” organization, supporting “extremism” or publicly calling for the violation of Russia’s territorial integrity.
Previously, persons with permanent residence abroad were liable only if violated requirements for “foreign agents” or participated in the activities of “undesirable” organizations. Legal entities could be held responsible for corrupt business practices or for participating in transactions with criminal assets.
The law will allow authorities in Russia to seize assets once a person is formally charged to ensure payment of any fines.
Until now, Russian courts have punished critics of the Kremlin in exile for various administrative charges, but the new law expands them. The new form of legislation was first proposed in October 2024 by regional deputies in the Republic of Tatarstan, and the State Duma approved it at the all-Russian level at the end of May. During its discussion, the Chairman of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, called it a necessary measure to protect Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
