The State Duma is set to consider in its first reading on Tuesday a legislative proposal aimed at enhancing accountability for individuals designated as foreign agents who fail to adhere to regulations governing their activities. This was announced by Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma.
Volodin confirmed that the decision to review the bill in the first reading during the plenary session on Tuesday was made by the Duma Council.
“It is crucial for us to safeguard Russia from interference by unfriendly nations operating through subsidized foreign agents,” Volodin stated, according to the State Duma press service. “By strengthening their responsibility, we protect the interests of our citizens and ensure the security of the state. Those who disregard our laws, including those residing abroad, must be held fully accountable for their actions under the law.”
The proposed legislation intends to eliminate the current requirement that a foreign agent commit two administrative offenses under Article 19.34 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (Violation of the procedure for the activities of a foreign agent) within a year before facing criminal charges. Instead, it suggests that criminal liability could arise after just a single violation of the Administrative Code provisions.
