Participation of Russian citizens abroad in military operations against Russia to be punished with up to 20 years of imprisonment

The State Duma committee of Russia has approved a bill on imprisonment for public calls against the security of the Russian Federation, targeting the participation of Russian citizens in military operations against Russia. This was reported by РИА новости.

The draft law proposes to add a new Article 280.4 to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation titled “Public calls for actions aimed at undermining state security.” Offenses under this category would be punishable by fines ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 rubles or imprisonment for a term of two to four years.

Similar acts committed by organized groups or involving threats of violence would incur penalties of five to seven years in a penal colony, along with fines ranging from 500,000 to 2.5 million rubles.

The provisions of the draft also suggest that participation of Russian citizens in military operations abroad that contradict the interests of the Russian Federation would be punishable by up to 20 years of imprisonment, alongside fines of up to 500,000 rubles.