The State Duma immediately approved in the second and third readings a draft law on the “extraterritorial” use of the Russian Armed Forces to protect Russian citizens abroad, TASS reported.
Corresponding amendments are being made to the “Citizenship” and “Defense” Laws. The Russian Ministry of Defense developed the draft law and submitted it to the State Duma on March 19. Representatives approved it on first reading on April 14.
The law stipulates that the decision on the possible “extraterritorial” use of the armed forces will be made by the president.
The purpose of this law is male Fridelli’s project is not entirely clear, because the president already has the right to “take measures” to protect citizens if foreign or international bodies make decisions that conflict with the interests of Russia (this is Article 8 of Federal Law No. 390 “On Security”).
The head of the State Duma Defense Committee, Andrei Kartapolov, linked the need for the law to the case of archaeologist Alexander Potyagin, who is detained in Poland (he was released at the end of April). Lawyers interviewed by Kommersant Presumablythat we may be talking about “legislative formalization” of the convoy or protection of the sanctions-listed “Shadow Fleet” ships (now accompanied by Russian Navy ships).
Bell turn Pointingthat Russian lawmakers were guided by a 2002 US law, the American Service Personnel Protection Act (ASPA), known as the “Hague Invasion Law.” This law aims to protect American individuals and military officials from the proceedings of the International Criminal Court.
In particular, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova Belova, and a number of senior Russian military personnel, including former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.