"Civil death" and instant deportation: Vladimir Putin signed several new laws at once

Vladimir Putin signed laws completely cutting off Russians convicted in absentia from their property, rights, and consular assistance abroad. Furthermore, the new regulations significantly expand the list of offenses for immediate deportation of foreigners from Russia.

Law on restrictions for Russians convicted in absentia

Specifically, Vladimir Putin signed a law imposing restrictions on citizens convicted in absentia or fined for political offenses. Previously, lawyers at the First Department stated that this was essentially a law on "deprivation of citizenship."

Russians in this category will be unable to register as individual entrepreneurs, self-employed individuals, own real estate or cars, or manage their money and property. They will also be prohibited from using remote banking, electronic signatures, powers of attorney, and government services. As a result, their assets will be frozen, payments will be transferred to controlled special accounts, and banks will refuse to provide loans.

Furthermore, the imposed restrictions deprive people of the right to drive vehicles, obtain licenses, and perform notarial acts. Citizens abroad are almost completely denied consular support—from issuing passports and registering marriages to processing applications to renounce Russian citizenship.

Expanding the grounds for deportation of migrants

Consequently, changes have also affected immigration legislation. Putin also signed a law expanding the Code of Administrative Offenses from 22 to 45 articles for which foreigners will face deportation from Russia.

Such violations include discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, language, disobedience to a lawful order of a government official, petty hooliganism, incitement to hatred or hostility, calls for the violation of Russia's territorial integrity, discrediting the army, and other offenses.