In Russia, for example, a new law is coming into force where a foreigner can be sentenced to a maximum of 15 years for “helping the enemy”.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin blessed more than 50 laws in just one day on Saturday, according to the Kremlin’s website.
Most of the laws are various extortions of existing laws.
From the beginning of the year, blackmail is expected for laws related to terrorism, rebellion and military service crimes, among other things.
For example, armed rebellion can in the future result in a life sentence or at least 20 years in prison. In the past, rebellion was punishable by at least 15 years in prison in Russia.
In addition, persons sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism and rebellion cannot apply for parole in the future.
Putin decided to tighten sedition laws after Russia experienced an extraordinary Wagner uprising in the summer of 2023.
Some of the changes in the law also apply to foreigners.
In Russia, for example, a law comes into force where a foreigner can be sentenced to a maximum of 15 years in prison for “helping the enemy”.
Changes are also coming to the classification of terrorist organizations. Russia intends to facilitate the removal of terrorist organizations from the list of terrorist organizations.
Russian opposition media Medusa estimates that Russia wants to change the law so that it can remove the Taliban movement, which took power in Afghanistan in 2021, from the list of terrorist organizations.
Russia also plans to toughen penalties for military service crimes.
For example, Putin signed a law according to which participants of volunteer groups can be punished for necking in the same way as soldiers who are in the service of the Russian army.
In addition, Russia intends to introduce a law that will enable it to effectively confiscate the income and assets of individuals and organizations declared to be “foreign agents”.
Several non-governmental organizations and human rights organizations have been declared “foreign agents” in Russia. In the past, Russia has restricted their activities with strict reporting requirements and restrictions.
The changes in the law were reported by several Russian media, such as Medusa and RBK.