Russian lawmakers propose criminal charges for cooperating with international organizations, trials in absentia for exiled ‘foreign agents’
Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin announced that the lower house of parliament has drafted several bills aimed at “enhancing control over the activities of foreign agents.”
On his Telegram channel, Volodin outlined new criteria for designating someone as a foreign agent. Under the proposed legislation, individuals could be classified as such if they:
- Assist in enforcing decisions of international organizations that Russia does not recognize, “such as the International Criminal Court;”
- Cooperate with foreign government agencies in activities deemed harmful to Russia’s security;
- Involve citizens, including minors, in gathering military-related information that could be used against Russia.
Volodin also said the new measures would allow Russian courts to try “foreign agents” and individuals who have left the country in absentia for offenses including:
- Public calls for terrorism, extremism, violations of Russia’s territorial integrity, mass unrest, or waging aggressive war;
- Spreading “fakes” about the Russian military or discrediting the armed forces;
- Destroying or damaging military graves and monuments;
- Rehabilitating Nazism.
Additionally, the bills propose harsher penalties for calling for sanctions against Russia and for discrediting the military, increasing the maximum sentence to five years in prison with property confiscation — up from the current three-year limit. A separate provision introduces a seven-year prison sentence with confiscation of assets for assisting international organizations that Russia does not participate in.
“Those who have betrayed our country must not be allowed to escape justice and accountability, even from abroad,” Volodin said. He did not specify when the Duma would consider the proposals.
