Vladimir Putin on August 4 signed two laws establishing a mechanism for imposing restrictions on people outside Russia who evade the execution of criminal sentences or certain administrative penalties imposed in the country.
Federal Law No. 284-FZ sets out the conditions under which temporary restrictive measures may be applied.
The measures can be imposed only when several conditions are met simultaneously: a Russian court decision imposing punishment has entered into force, the person’s evasion of that punishment has been established, and the person’s presence outside Russia has been confirmed.
For administrative cases, the law covers a specific list of offenses, including violations of legislation on “foreign agents,” participation in the activities of “undesirable” organizations, calls for sanctions and the “discrediting” of the Russian Armed Forces.
A related law, No. 285-FZ, amended sector-specific legislation.
People placed on the special list can face restrictions on notarial and certain consular services, registration as an individual entrepreneur or self-employed person, registration and operation of vehicles, access to electronic government services, cadastral registration and state registration of property rights.
The main law also allows for the freezing of money and other property and establishes a special ruble account through which payments owed to the affected person can be received under a restricted regime.
The restrictions do not automatically apply to all Russians abroad or to anyone being prosecuted in absentia. The statutory conditions must be met before the measures can be imposed.
Both laws were passed by the State Duma on July 22, approved by the Federation Council on July 24, signed by Putin and entered into force on August 4.