New bill in Russia’s parliament makes cooperation with foreign security agencies criminal offence

The State Duma, Russia’s lower house of the parliament, has passed a bill introducing criminal liability for cooperating with foreign security agencies in a first reading, according to the parliament’s website.

A punishment of up to eight years in prison or a fine of 1 million rubles (€16,600) is implied for cooperating with foreign security agencies or any other foreign or international organisations without informing the authorities.

The bill also introduces fines of up to 500,000 rubles for “public calls for activities against the security of the state”. Switching sides during a military conflict will be considered high treason subject to a prison term 12 to 20 years long and a 500,000 rubles fine.

Moreover, the bill also makes “undesirable organisations” regulations more strict, punishing those participating in the activities of such organisations or raising money – in Russia or elsewhere.

“Recruitment, training, financing or other material support of a mercenary, as well as its use in an armed conflict or hostilities” is punished by 4 to 8 years in prison under current Russian law.