Russia tightens screws further on regime critics
The property of government critics who left Russia will be seized regardless of the size of the fine imposed on them.
Source: The Moscow Times, an independent Amsterdam-based news outlet
Details: An amendment for consideration at the appropriate bill's second reading was approved by the Committee on State Building and Legislation of the Russian State Duma (the lower house of the Russian parliament).
The Russian parliament will consider the document in its second reading on 26 May.
The bill would make the provision limiting the value of seized property to the amount of the fine not applicable to Russian citizens convicted of political offences.
This concerns those convicted of "discrediting" the Russian armed forces or those taking part in "undesirable organisations", violating the rules governing the activities of a "foreign agent", calling for sanctions, and other offences.
The original version of the bill, submitted to the Duma in 2024, did not contain this restriction. Courts would be able to seize property worth millions of roubles from Russians living abroad, even if the fine imposed is far lower.
Cases will be heard in absentia: a person abroad will be assigned a state-appointed lawyer, while notification of the seizure of property will be sent by email. The law is expected to come into force on 1 September 2026.
Background:
- Russia's Ministry of Digital Development is developing a set of measures to bring Russia's segment of the internet under full state control.
- The number of loss-making banks in Russia rose from 34 as of 1 January 2026 to 60 by the beginning of March.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!