"This is essentially a bill to revoke citizenship": The State Duma has passed a law on restrictions for Russians who have emigrated and were convicted in absentia on political charges.
The State Duma passed in its second and third readings a bill introducing sweeping restrictions for Russians who have fled the country and been convicted in absentia of political crimes. Lawyers from the human rights project "First Department" note that the adopted document effectively amounts to a "citizenship deprivation" law.
The status of "internally cancelled citizen"
Consequently, the new document creates a legal precedent in which the state deprives individuals of basic rights while retaining full jurisdiction over them. In particular, lawyers explained in detail the legal implications of the adopted amendments.
"The state retains jurisdiction and control over the individual, continues to enforce the sentence, but does not grant a significant portion of the rights typically associated with citizenship. A person who has left for political reasons and is deemed a 'draft evader' receives the status of an internally 'cancelled citizen.'"
Asset freeze and ban on banking services
According to the document, defendants in criminal and political administrative cases will no longer be able to register as individual entrepreneurs, self-employed, or buy or sell real estate or cars. Furthermore, the ban applies to managing their own money and property.
As a result, citizens are completely deprived of access to remote banking, electronic signatures, notarized powers of attorney, and the Gosuslugi portal. All financial assets of such individuals are frozen, any payments are transferred to special controlled accounts, and banking institutions are obligated to refuse them loans.
Deprivation of rights and blocking of consular services abroad
Furthermore, the imposed restrictions deprive expatriate citizens of the right to drive vehicles, obtain any state licenses, and perform notarial acts. However, the most critical blow for Russians abroad will be the almost complete blockage of consular support.
Therefore, compatriots abroad will not be able to obtain new passports, register a marriage, or officially renounce their Russian citizenship. However, all these blanket restrictions will remain in effect until the individual personally serves their sentence, returns to Russia, dies, or until the court verdict is officially overturned.
