Putin signs law enabling him to deploy Russian troops abroad to "protect" Russian citizens

Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has signed a law that allows him to deploy Russian troops to other countries on the pretext of "protecting the rights of Russian citizens".

Source: Russian news agency Interfax

Details: Interfax has reported that the law was supposedly drafted to protect the rights of Russian citizens in cases involving their arrest, detention, criminal prosecution or other legal proceedings initiated by foreign or international judicial bodies whose jurisdiction Russia does not recognise.

An opinion issued by the Defence and Security Committee of Russia's Federation Council states that in such cases "the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation may be involved" to "protect" Russian citizens if the Russian ruler so decides.

In addition, Russian state authorities will be required to take appropriate measures to "protect" such citizens within the scope of their powers following a decision by Putin.

The law has been published on Russia's official legal information portal. It will enter into force 10 days after its official publication.

Background: On 13 May, Russia's State Duma passed in the second and third readings a bill allowing Putin to deploy Russian troops to other countries on the pretext of "protecting the rights of Russian citizens".

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