Foreigners who have signed a contract with the Russian Federation Ministry of Defense to participate in hostilities will no longer be able to be extradited at the request of other states for criminal prosecution or the execution of penalties. A government commission has approved legislative changes in this regard, reports “Vedomosti”. In total, three draft laws are prepared in the State Duma that target foreign citizens and stateless persons who serve or have served in the Russian army or other armed structures.
According to the new provisions, these individuals will no longer be able to be administratively expelled – instead of this measure, they will be fined between 1,000 and 50,000 rubles (≈10–500 euros) or unpaid community service for up to 200 hours. Also, the law on the legal status of foreigners is being amended: all decisions made “after February 24, 2022” regarding deportation, readmission, entry ban, declaring stay as undesirable, reducing the duration of stay or canceling the residence permit – become null and void and are no longer executed. The same applies to refusals or cancellations regarding the issuance or extension of work permits.
State Duma deputy, Alexei Kurinii, told RTVI that this legislative package approved by the government represents an additional incentive for foreigners fighting against Ukraine: “Because a person who performs combat missions as part of a special military operation cannot, in essence, be deported and handed over to the justice of another state. It would be inconceivable,” he said.
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