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State Duma moves forward with plans to forbid ‘foreign agents’ and anti-war Russians from transferring money abroad

State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has revealed new details about his initiative to restrict the income of designated “foreign agents.” On Monday, Volodin said the new program will require all payments to these individuals to flow to special ruble-denominated accounts accessible only within Russia and only by the individuals directly. The Duma’s speaker said “foreign agents” will be prohibited from transferring these funds abroad.

Volodin said he also wants to extend these restrictions to any Russians who leave the country and then “make offensive statements” about Russia or its war of aggression against Ukraine. The Duma’s speaker said the new rules should apply even to income received by renting or selling property in Russia. 

Last week, Volodin complained about Russians abroad making “negative statements” about the war in Ukraine. He also outlined a plan to force payments for “intellectual labor” by “foreign agents” into special ruble accounts.