The Criminal Code will introduce an article for "Russophobia" abroad

The Russian government will approve the proposal to introduce criminal liability for "Russophobia" abroad. By Russophobia, legislators understand the discrimination of Russian citizens by foreign officials or public calls for it.

The project also says that Russian courts can judge in such articles in absentia, without the presence of the defendants. Now this is possible only in the case of serious or especially serious crimes. The authorities want to recognize the Russophobia by a crime of moderate severity.

The only remark of the government to the project was about the types of punishment. The deputies proposed to ban the convicts under this article "to occupy certain positions or engage in certain activities" in Russia. The Cabinet of Ministers believe that such a punishment will be “difficult to implement” in practice, since we are talking about living abroad.

The question of criminal liability for Russophobia was already raised at the end of last year. Then he was supported by the government commission on billing activities.

The bill is about discrimination against Russian citizens living in the homeland, stateless compatriots and permanent residents of Russia abroad. For "Russophobia" in Russia is judged under an article on arousing hatred or enmity.