On April 18, the State Duma will consider amendments to the law “On control of the activities of persons under foreign influence”. The changes aim to “remove all loopholes and loopholes for people under foreign influence”, said Vasily Piskarev, head of the commission investigating foreign interference. What are these amendments and what restrictions are currently in place for foreign agents – in Russian media material.
What amendments does the State Duma want to make?
Foreign agents will be prohibited from receiving not only financial support, but also real estate support from the state. The Ministry of Justice will be given the powers of state control over compliance with the Foreign Agents Act, not just the activities of foreign agents. After receiving data that “someone through his actions or inactions contributes to the violation of Russian law by a foreign agent”, the Ministry of Justice may issue a warning. The period within which it will be necessary to eliminate the violation will be at least one month. In case of non-compliance with the instructions in time, fines are provided: up to 50,000 rubles. – for citizens, up to 100,000 – for officials, up to 300,000 rubles. – for legal persons.
Who can be recognized as a foreign agent?
The Law on Control of the Activities of Persons Under Foreign Influence, the amendment of which is planned, entered into force on December 1, 2022. Prior to its adoption, there was no separate legislation on “foreign agents”. Regulations on this matter were contained in four different laws.
According to the law, persons and organizations who have received support or are “under foreign influence in other forms” and who are engaged in political activities, collect information about Russia’s military activities or distribute, prepare and finance equipment may be recognized as foreign agents.
What is foreign influence
Foreign influence is considered to be the receipt of money and “other property” from a foreign source, as well as the provision of organizational, methodological, scientific, technical or “other” assistance.
According to the law, influence is also considered to be “producing influence by coercion, persuasion or other means”.
What is considered political activity
participation in the organization and conduct of public events (gatherings, rallies, demonstrations, marches, pickets, debates, discussions, speeches), observation of elections, formation of electoral commissions, participation in the activities of political parties, public appeals to authorities, attempts to influence adoption, change, abolition of laws, dissemination of opinions on politics and decisions of authorities, conduct of opinion polls, involvement of children in political activities, the financing of political activities.
Duties of foreign agents
report their status as a foreign agent when applying to authorities, mark their documents on the Internet and in the media, keep accounts and statistical reports, submit a report on foreign activities and sources once every three months, publish a report on their activities on the Internet or the media once every six months.
What is prohibited for foreign agents
work in government bodies, be a member of an election commission, participate in election campaigns, donate money to election funds for election candidates and parties, nominate candidates for public oversight commissions, conduct anti- bribery of bills, spreading information among children, conducting educational activities among children, working as teachers, organizing public events, participating in public procurement, receiving money from the budget, including for creativity, use a simplified tax system. invest in strategic companies in Russia.
Read the Latest Ukraine War News on The Eastern Herald.
