The Members of the State Duma have approved the tightening of punishments for “discrediting” the army, calls for sanctions against Russia, and cooperation with unwanted international organizations by the authorities. They have also given the green light for the expansion of criteria for designating individuals as “foreign agents” and have approved a list of crimes for which citizens can be tried in absentia. All three draft laws were unanimously adopted in the first reading on April 2nd
Thus, “discrediting” the army (article 280.3 of the Penal Code) or supporting the execution of decisions of international organizations against Russia’s interests (article 284.3) will be punished with up to 7 years of imprisonment if these “crimes” were committed for “material or monetary reasons.” If a person, for the same reasons, calls for the imposition of sanctions (article 284.2), they risk up to 5 years of detention. In all three cases, confiscation of assets is also provided for.
The second draft law allows for the trial in absentia of citizens who have left Russia, for 20 offenses. These include “discrediting” the army, spreading “fake news” about the army, “rehabilitation of Nazism”, “desecration of military graves and monuments”. In addition, those who incite terrorism, extremism, separatism, mass riots, initiation of aggressive war, sanctions, violation of Russia’s territorial integrity, refuse to fulfill their obligations as a “foreign agent” or participate in activities or financing of an “undesirable organization” will also be tried in absentia.
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