Russian lawmakers want to lock up any compatriots who aid or observe foreign economic sanctions

Russian lawmakers have drafted legislation that would make it a felony to observe foreign sanctions or even share information that could lead to the imposition of foreign sanctions.

Sources told the news agency Interfax on Friday that Duma deputies plan to submit a draft law on Monday, May 14, that would make it illegal to refuse cooperation with Russian entities because of sanctions imposed by another country. Such actions could result in fines as high as 600,000 rubles ($9,720) or up to four years in prison. People who “provide recommendations” or “supply information” “that has led or could lead” to new anti-Russian sanctions would face fines as high as 500,000 rubles ($8,090) or up to three years in prison.

The new legislation is reportedly the brainchild of Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Matviyenko, and the leaders of all four political parties with seats in the State Duma.

• Russian opposition activists regularly petition foreign governments to add various Russian officials and entrepreneurs to sanctions lists, hoping to limit their travel options and make it harder to stash illicit wealth abroad.
• In April, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on several Russian businesses and 24 oligarchs from the U.S. “Kremlin list” published in January. The Russian parliament is currently refining legislation that will authorize a series of “counter-sanctions” aimed at U.S. imports. Lawmakers are expected to vote on a first reading of this draft law on May 15.