Russia may expand definition of ‘treason’

Russia’s criminal code could be expanded to include an article that outlaws public calls to actions aimed at undermining the country’s security. On Monday, a parliamentary committee recommended that MPs approve a draft law on the matter.

The draft law envisages a fine of up to 500,000 rubles (around $8,000) or a prison term of from two to four years, for a violation. If those calls come from a group of people, or include threats of violence, the penalty would increase to up to seven years behind bars with a fine of up to 2.5 million rubles (around $40,000).

The proposed legislation also suggests criminalizing the participation of Russian citizens in warfare abroad that is aimed against the interests of the country. The proposed penalty, in this case, is imprisonment for up to 20 years with a fine of up to 500,000 rubles (around $8,000).

Switching to the enemy side during a conflict involving Russia is set be equated to treason, and also punished by a sentence of up to 20 years with a fine of up to 500,000 rubles (around $8,000).

READ MORE: Russia criminalizes ‘disinformation’ about army

The legislation also calls for a prison term of up to eight years, with a fine of one million rubles (around $16,000) for covert cooperation with foreign special services, and other foreign or international organizations. The draft law was under review since May 25 by a lower house, or State Duma, committee on state-building and legislation and, on Monday, the body recommended that MPs approve it.

“It can be accepted in the first reading,” Pavel Krasheninnikov, who heads the committee, said. “For now, we suggest approving the concept,” Krasheninnikov explained, adding that the proposal still needed some tweaking before becoming law.

One of the authors of the draft, MP Ernest Valeyev, said that the relevant additions to the criminal code were needed, as “many of the articles relating to state crimes in particular, seem to be lagging behind the challenges of our time.”

As for the definition of ‘treason,’ this should be expanded because “our forces are now present in Syria, and the special military operation is ongoing in Ukraine,” he told Business FM.

To become law, the new bill needs to pass three readings in the Duma, then be approved by the upper house – the Federation Council – before it goes to the Russian president’s desk for his signature.

A week after the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine in late February, the country introduced a law that made the distribution of “false information” about its armed forces punishable by up to 15 years in jail and a hefty fine.

The head of the Russian Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin told RT in early May that 35 criminal cases were launched in the country over the defamation of the military during the first two months of the operation.

READ MORE: ‘Every criminal leaves some trace’: Russia’s top investigator shares his views on Ukraine conflict

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