Putin has approved yet another draft law tightening legislation on ‘foreign agents.’

State Duma deputies have unanimously approved, in both the second and third final readings, a draft law that tightens accountability for ‘foreign agents.’ This was reported by the Centre for Media Rights Protection.

Now, under the article concerning violations of ‘foreign agent’ activity regulations (Article 19.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences), law enforcement can carry out administrative investigations. The changes are being made to Article 28.7 of the Code of Administrative Offences.

According to a resolution by the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, such investigations are carried out before drafting a protocol if the case “requires significant time investment.” Law enforcement conduct expert examinations, identify witnesses, and question people living in other localities.

Deputies have also introduced amendments to the article on disobeying lawful orders issued by government oversight bodies (Article 19.4 of the Code of Administrative Offences). Citizens who refuse to provide Justice Ministry officials with requested documents will be fined between 30,000 and 50,000 rubles (approximately US$340–570). Officials themselves face fines between 100,000 and 300,000 rubles (approximately US$1,140–3,420), while legal entities could be fined from 300,000 to 500,000 rubles (approximately US$3,420–5,700).

Additionally, the State Duma has increased fines for the absence of ‘foreign agent’ labelling on materials or for failing to use the approved format. This applies to founders, participants, and managers of legal entities and public associations listed in the Justice Ministry’s registry. The maximum fine will be 50,000 rubles (approximately US$570).

The State Duma has also established liability under Article 19.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences for violations committed not only within Russia, but also abroad. This will apply in cases where “the said administrative offence is directed against the interests of the Russian Federation” and if the individual “has not been held criminally or administratively liable for the corresponding actions in a foreign state.”

“With this draft law, we are establishing administrative liability for noncompliance with officials’ requirements by foreign agents. This is very important because they ignore the requirements of officials. Foreign agents are financed from abroad. They do everything to weaken our country and destroy the state. Therefore, we must resist this,” said State Duma chair Vyacheslav Volodin.

He also stated that Russia has “one of the most liberal laws regarding foreign agents” and that the penalties for violating ‘foreign agent’ legislation in the country are “among the lowest.”

18 June The Federation Council approved the draft law on fines for the incorrect labelling of ‘foreign agent’ materials, reported Interfax.

24 June Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill introducing fines for failing to comply with Justice Ministry requirements for ‘foreign agents.’ This was reported by TASS.