Vladimir Putin is doubling down on critics of Russia’s warfare in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, the Russian president signed into legislation a invoice that enables authorities to grab the cash, property, and property of these convicted of “disseminating faux information about Russia’s armed forces in addition to committing crimes detrimental to nationwide safety,” in keeping with TASS state information company.
The punishment applies solely to property gained by way of legal means or “used for actions aimed in opposition to Russia’s nationwide safety,” per TASS.
The speaker of Russia’s decrease home, Vyacheslav Volodin, stated the transfer seeks to punish “traitors who sling mud at our nation and our troops” and “strip these scoundrels of honorary titles, confiscate their property, cash, and different valuables,” in keeping with the Related Press.
The brand new legislation got here on prime of one other legislation handed in March 2022 that imposes jail phrases and fines on these spreading “faux information” in opposition to the Russian army.
A number of folks in Russia have already been jailed for criticizing the warfare in Ukraine, the Related Press reported in July 2022. Some have fled the nation, leaving property behind that the Kremlin is now eyeing.
Russia’s new legislation comes because the warfare in Ukraine approaches its third 12 months, and a month earlier than Putin seeks a fifth presidential time period in a presidential election slated for March. The 71-year-old Russian chief is predicted to win the race in opposition to three opponents.