Russia’s new registry of ‘enemies of the people’ is in the testing phase and has exactly one (fictional) name, so far
Russia’s Justice Ministry has launched a test version of a new registry on its website, calling it а “list of individuals subject to temporary restrictive measures.” The public database will list people who were convicted in absentia by Russian courts but live abroad and are evading punishment.
As Meduza has reported, the registry amounts to a de facto list of “enemies of the people.” The registry was required once a law stripping legal rights from government critics facing in-absentia prosecution took effect. Vladimir Putin signed the law on August 4, and it took effect that same day.
So far the registry contains just one entry: a fictional 25-year-old named Pyotr Petrovich Petrov, born in Novosibirsk. According to the database, he was “added” to the registry under Article 19.34 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which covers violations of the rules governing “foreign agent” activity.
Judging by the test version, the Justice Ministry intends to list each person’s full name, date and place of birth, taxpayer ID number (INN), and social insurance number (SNILS). The registry will also include the number of a special ruble account into which any income a listed person earns in Russia will be forcibly transferred.
The registry itself went live on August 21, according to the Justice Ministry’s website.
The new law targets people who have left Russia and have been convicted in absentia under any article of Russia’s Criminal Code or under “political” articles of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
The restrictions include frozen bank accounts in Russia, bans on selling real estate or vehicles, on using the “Gosuslugi” public services portal and online banking, and on obtaining certain consular services, such as a passport for foreign travel.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin signaled while the bill was still under consideration that the authorities would use it for the political persecution of dissenters.
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