The State Duma has passed amendments in the first reading that will allow for faster prosecution of 'foreign agents'.

The State Duma has passed, in the first reading, amendments that allow criminal cases to be initiated against “foreign agents” after a single administrative offence. This was reported on the official website of the legislative body.

The changes relate to the article concerning evasion of duties by “foreign agents” (Article 330.1 of the Criminal Code). Previously, a criminal case under this article could only be brought if a person designated as a “foreign agent” had been held liable twice within a year under the corresponding administrative article (Article 19.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences), and was then suspected of another similar violation.

Now, if the bill is ultimately adopted, “foreign agents” could face criminal prosecution for violating the “foreign agent” legislation after just one administrative offence.

“Foreign agents today are firmly embedded in the system of opposition to Russia, alongside technological, intelligence, military and other capabilities of the enemy. And as we can see, the opposition is not weakening but growing stronger. In these circumstances, work to improve legislation in the area of sovereignty protection serves our national interests, and it is extremely important that we continue this work without pause,” said one of the bill’s authors and the chair of the State Duma commission investigating foreign interference in Russia’s internal affairs, Vasily Piskaryov.

The government approved the bill in early June, after which it was submitted to the State Duma for consideration.

Legislation on “foreign agents” is being regularly tightened. For example, in April MPs adopted a bill prohibiting “foreign agents” from engaging in educational and outreach activities.