Mediazona reviews draft amendments that are expected to affect Russians who have left the country and have a final court conviction under any article of the Criminal Code. The same restrictions are also proposed for people who have not paid fines under a number of political administrative offenses.
These include, in particular, fines under the “foreign agent” articles, the article on participation in the activities of an undesirable organization, calls to violate Russia’s territorial integrity, “discrediting” the Russian army, and calls to impose sanctions on Russia.
Financial restrictions
Among the possible measures are the blocking of bank accounts and the shutdown of access to a bank’s mobile app and personal online account. The idea is to prevent the person from transferring money.
All funds earned or received in Russia, including pensions, other state payments, and transfers from organizations and private individuals, would be placed into a special ruble account. Money from that account could be used only for payments to the state budget to cover fines.
If the emigrant’s close relatives have no income sources of their own, they could receive a monthly allowance from the frozen funds belonging to that person.
Bans on transactions and services
The amendments would also ban real estate transactions and vehicle registration. Emigrants with convictions would not be allowed to register as sole proprietors or obtain self-employed status.
In addition, they would lose access to Gosuslugi, meaning they could not file applications or request official certificates. Notarial actions in the interests of a person abroad with a conviction or fine would also be prohibited: using a power of attorney, it would be impossible to complete a transaction, enter into an inheritance, issue a power of attorney to a relative, or sign documents.
Part of the planned amendments refers to the consular charter. According to Mediazona, the possible restrictions include a ban on issuing foreign passports, a ban on marriage registration and name changes, and a ban on certifying transactions, wills, and powers of attorney.