Putin signs law restricting the rights of Kremlin critics living abroad who are prosecuted in absentia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law titled “On Temporary Restrictive Measures Against Individuals Located Outside the Russian Federation Who Are Evading Punishment.” It takes effect immediately, upon official publication.

The law applies to people who left Russia and were convicted in absentia under any article of the Criminal Code, or under “political” statutes of the Administrative Offenses Code.

Those targeted face a freeze on their Russian bank accounts, a ban on selling real estate and vehicles, and a ban on using the Gosuslugi government services portal and online banking. They will also be denied certain consular services, including the issuance of a foreign travel passport.

The State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament, passed the law on July 22.

Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament, made clear even before the bill passed that authorities intended to use it against political dissenters. “Those who left need to think about how they will turn themselves in to the court and confess. This is about those who cause harm to our country. About extremists, traitors to our homeland. Those who for years have tried to do everything to destroy our state. They justify Nazism, insult our soldiers and officers. At the same time, they hide from punishment in other countries,” Volodin said.