Russia has started taking DNA samples from people charged with misdemeanors — like participating in protests and promoting ‘childfree propaganda’

On January 1, 2025, an amendment to Russia’s law “On state genomic registration” went into effect, allowing law enforcement to conduct “mandatory state genomic registration” of individuals convicted of administrative (misdemeanor) offenses.

The collection of DNA samples and the creation of DNA profiles for identification purposes — or, as federal law specifies, for identifying an unidentified body. The collected data is stored in a federal genomic information database.

This process can be either voluntary and paid or mandatory and free. The latter is what’s referred to in federal law as “mandatory” genomic registration.

Since 2009, Russia has required “mandatory” genomic registration for:

• Unidentified individuals whose biological material was recovered by law enforcement during investigations
• Prisoners convicted of serious or especially serious crimes, as well as offenses involving sexual violence

In May 2023, the requirement was expanded to include all prisoners, along with anyone accused or suspected of a felony offense. A year later, in May 2024, it was extended to include close relatives of missing persons.

And as of January 1, 2025, it now applies to misdemeanor offenders as well.

No, only those who have been sentenced to jail time by a court.

If an article of Russia’s Code of Administrative Offenses allows for detention but the court issues only a warning, a fine, or assigns community service, authorities cannot compel DNA collection.

Dozens of them.

They include battery, disorderly conduct, failure to pay child support, “childfree propaganda,” drug use, driving without a license or under the influence, and, of course, participation in an unsanctioned protest.

Certain individuals can’t be sentenced to jail time for misdemeanor offenses, which also means they’re exempt from “mandatory state genomic registration.”

Under Russia’s Code of Administrative Offenses, these include:

• Minors
• Pregnant women
• Women and single fathers with children under 14 or with disabilities
• Individuals with profound or serious disabilities
• Those called up for military training
• Military personnel, including members of the Defense Ministry, FSB, FSO, and SVR
• Employees of customs, fire services, the Investigative Committee, National Guard (Rosgvardiya), Interior Ministry, Federal Penitentiary Service, and Federal Bailiff Service (FSSP)

It’s unclear.

Law enforcement now has the formal authority to conduct genomic registration for anyone sentenced to jail time for a misdemeanor offence.

However, official data suggests that even in cases involving criminal suspects and defendants — who have been subject to mandatory DNA collection since May 2023 — not everyone is actually entered into the database.

Last fall, the Forensic Science Center of the Moscow region’s Interior Ministry reported that from January to September 2024, 1,340 convicted individuals and 8,270 criminal suspects or defendants were added to the federal genomic database. Yet, according to the Moscow region prosecutor’s office, 27,048 people were identified as having committed crimes during that same period.

No. That’s why it’s called “mandatory” — it’s enforced.

Meduza found several cases where people were fined for refusing to provide DNA samples for mandatory state genomic registration. Even citing religious beliefs or a supposed ban on sharing genetic material, allegedly imposed by the Russian Orthodox Church, didn’t help.

Only in rare cases.

This can happen if a conviction is overturned, a defendant is acquitted, or charges against a convicted or suspected prisoner are dropped.

For those subjected to mandatory genomic registration due to a misdemeanor, the first step would be to have the court ruling overturned — either entirely or just the detention order imposed as punishment for the offense.

Otherwise, the DNA data will remain in the federal database for 100 years.

They can’t.

In 2022, a Russian prisoner serving a life sentence challenged a decision by the Interior Ministry’s forensic center after it refused to provide him with a copy of his genomic records. The court ruled that the federal law serves a “strictly criminological purpose: identifying individuals” — and does not grant those whose DNA has been collected access to their own genetic information.