State Duma Expected to Vote on Updated Bill Cutting Off Exiled Critics From Banking and Property Services, Report Says
The expanded measure would also let courts seize frozen funds for legal costs and damages while tightening restrictions on property deals and banking access.
- On Wednesday, July 22, the State Duma prepares to fast-track legislation restricting exiled Russians from accessing online banking, real estate transactions, and consular services. The bill targets individuals convicted in absentia of "discrediting" the Russian Armed Forces or participating in "undesirable" organizations.
- Legislators amended the bill to expand upon a milder version passed last December. The updated text formalizes the government's ability to strip assets from exiled journalists, activists, and dissidents, aiming to make punishment "inevitable" for those evading sentences.
- Under the proposed measures, the Justice Ministry would maintain a registry of targeted individuals. Banks must block online access and money transfers, while Rosreestr must return real estate documents without review, effectively barring property transactions for those living outside Russia.
- Reacting to the proposal, Amnesty International's Marie Struthers, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, called the legislation a "chilling attempt to punish people who have left Russia." She urged host governments to develop mechanisms ensuring targeted individuals retain access to basic banking.
- If the Federation Council approves the bill and President Vladimir Putin signs it, the law takes effect immediately. This follows a separate September law allowing confiscation of property from Russians accused of acting "against the interests of the Russian Federation.
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Russia Moves to ‘Cancel’ Its Own Citizens, Cutting Exiles Off From Banks, Property, and Passports
Russia’s State Duma approved sweeping restrictions allowing authorities to freeze exiles’ accounts and property, block online banking, and deny them passports and most consular services.
A law introducing "interim restrictive measures" against Russians who left the country and "failed punishment" under political articles was adopted by the State Duma of the Russian Federation at once in the second and third readings.
No consular services, bank accounts, real estate sales ban: Russia's House of Commons has passed a law that is supposed to make Kremlin critics abroad quasi stateless.
Russia: Draft law imposing sweeping restrictions on government critics abroad weaponizes punishment to silence dissent
Reacting to proposed legislation in the Russian Duma that would impose sweeping restrictions on government critics targeted with problematic laws in Russia and living abroad, including the denial of consular services and the blocking of banking and property rights, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, said: “This legislation is a chilling […] The post Russia: Draft law imposing sweeping restrictions …
On 22 July, the State Duma will consider on second reading a package of two bills relating to Russians who have left the country, convicted in criminal and administrative cases.
Russia’s State Duma takes up bill to freeze assets, block bank transfers of Russians who criticize authorities from abroad
Russia’s State Duma, the lower house of parliament, approved amendments ahead of a second reading of the bill “On Temporary Restrictive Measures Against Persons Located Outside the Russian Federation Who Are Evading a Sentence.”
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