Putin signs laws on surrender to captivity and refusal to take part in military combat, felons to face 10 years in prison

Vladimir Putin has signed a set of amendments to Russia’s Criminal Code.

The amendments introduce criminal liability for “deliberately surrendering into captivity” (three to ten years in prison). This article is completely new to Russia’s criminal code.

It is noted, however, that the prisoner may be exempt from criminal liability “if they put efforts towards their liberation from captivity, return to their service and have no other criminal charges.”

Drafted reservists will face criminal liability for dodging draft or deserting their service same as contracted soldiers. At the same time, this can be also discharged if the felon commits this crime due to “confluence of difficult circumstances”.

Refusing to take part in military combat during martial law or military conflict may cause the felon to be put in prison for up to ten years, same as disobeying an order.

Violence towards a military superior during mobilisation, martial law, military combat, or an armed conflict implies a punishment of up to 15 years behind bars.

Another new article to the Criminal Code is pillage; pillagers will face 6 to 15 years in prison.

These new laws were adopted by Russia’s parliament on 20 September, the day before Vladimir Putin introduced “partial” mobilisation.