Criticism of the authorities or war from abroad can now lead to the seizure of your apartment in Russia. How will the new law work? We now have a final list of violations that will be punished

On May 26, the Duma adopted the ring in the second and third readings invoiceUnder which the Russian authorities will punish its critics living abroad.

how It is expressed Speaker of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, this is an initiative to “seize the property of scoundrels.” Through it, deputies will identify administrative crimes committed abroad, and Russians and foreigners will be held accountable on the territory of the Russian Federation.

By the second reading, the bill underwent significant changes: if previously they would punish any crime from abroad directed “against the interests of the Russian Federation,” now they decided to limit themselves to a closed list of articles of the Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO).

If the bill is adopted by the Federation Council and signed by Vladimir Putin (which there is no doubt), the document will enter into force on September 1, 2026.

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As previously noted, it allows for the punishment of certain administrative crimes committed outside the Russian Federation and directed “against the interests of the country.” One form of punishment is the seizure of the offender’s property remaining in Russia. Anyone can be punished: Russian citizens, foreigners, legal entities, as well as stateless persons.

Currently, an offender can only be tried for acts committed outside the country under four articles:

• Conducting financial transactions or transactions with property obtained by criminal means for the benefit of a legal entity (Article 15.27³)
• Unlawful remuneration on behalf of a legal entity (Article 19.28)
• Violation of foreign agent activities procedures (Article 19.34)
• Participation in “undesirable” activities of a foreign or international organization (Article 20.33).

The State Council of Tatarstan and State Duma deputy Ayrat Vrakhov have sought to expand this list from 2023. First, they proposed expanding the list with six new articles. But the Russian government noted in its review that the report’s authors overlooked several other crimes that could also be directed “against the country’s interests.” Then all violations were included in the draft law and it was approved in this manner in 2025 on the first reading.

For the second reading, the relevant State Duma committee approved several amendments. They were all suggested by Frakhov, who had done so by the time of their publication I managed Resign as deputy.

Yes. For example, Varakhov doubled the number of new administrative articles under which perpetrators will be tried. Here is their general list (articles added to second reading are highlighted in yellow):

• Unlawful acquisition of limited access information (Article 13.14¹)
• Violation of the rules for protecting communication lines or structures (Article 13.15 in full; been there before)
• Violation of the rules for protecting children from harmful content by the broadcasting service owner (Article 13.36)
• The owner of the live broadcast service violated the ban on publishing public calls or justifying terrorism and extremism (Article 13.37)
• A general comparison between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany (Article 13.48)
• Unlawful dissemination of information (Article 17.13)
• Dissemination of information about government bodies, the state itself, the flag, coat of arms, national anthem and the Constitution of the Russian Federation (Parts 3-5 of Article 20.1)
• Incitement to hatred or hostility, as well as humiliation of human dignity (Article 20.3¹)
• Public calls for action aimed at violating territorial integrity (Article 20.3²)
• “Defamation” of government bodies, volunteer formations, the National Guard and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (Article 20.3³)
• Calls for the imposition of restrictive measures against the Russian Federation, Russian citizens or Russian legal entities (Article 20.3⁴)
• Production and distribution of extremist materials (Article 20.29).

Now the value of the seized property may exceed the maximum fine stipulated for this crime. Furthermore, funds in bank accounts and deposits will first be confiscated. Only in their absence is the offender’s other property (such as real estate) subject to arrest. That is, for a relatively small fine of 10 thousand conditional rubles, temporary measures can be applied to an apartment or house worth tens of millions of rubles.

The judge may impose detention until the administrative case is decided. It only requires a similar request from the public prosecutor or any other person authorized to initiate the case.

No, this is a temporary measure. To force the offender to comply with the court’s decision. For example, paying a fine. When seized, the property is not physically confiscated. However, its owner may not sell it, donate it, or dispose of it in any other way.

After carrying out the imposed penalty – for example, paying the fine and paying all costs – the arrest is lifted. Speaking of costs: The offender will now also have to pay for the work of the court-appointed defense attorney, including per diem, travel expenses, and housing rent.