Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law granting the Federal Security Service (FSB) the authority to monitor interactions between Russian scientific institutions and foreign entities, Kommersant reports.
The measure introduces amendments to the law “On science and state scientific and technical policy.” It was drafted by the Education and Science Ministry in February and passed by the State Duma in June.
According to an explanatory note attached to the bill, FSB oversight is intended to monitor the transfer of scientific research abroad. The authors claim the measure will not affect the “freedom of scientific creativity.”
The law authorizes the FSB to oversee Russian scientists’ cooperation with both individuals and organizations outside the country.
In recent years, Russia has seen a sharp rise in criminal cases against scientists, many of whom have been charged with treason or disclosing state secrets — often in connection with presentations at academic conferences or publications in foreign journals.
In February, Putin urged the FSB to take a “calmer” approach to civilian scientific developments. “When it comes to civilian technologies and developments, we should avoid formulaic approaches,” he said. “We need to act calmly, competently, and intelligently, so that our scientists’ achievements aren’t classified.”