Russian parliament considers draft bill to seize dissidents' assets

Russia’s parliament on Monday started considering a draft bill that would grant the state the authority to confiscate the property of individuals convicted of defamation of the armed forces or publicly advocating actions undermining state security. This move is drawing comparisons to the witch hunts of the 1930s during the era of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, characterized by “enemy of the state” rhetoric. The proposed legislation could potentially impact thousands of Russians who have expressed opposition to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. While criticising Moscow’s termed “special military operation” in Ukraine has been effectively treated as a crime in Russia since its commencement nearly two years ago, the new bill seeks to intensify penalties for such actions. It would allow the state for example, to seize the property of Russians who have left the country and have criticised the war but who continue to rely on revenue from renting out their houses or apartments in Russia. The speaker of the State Duma lower house of parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has dubbed the new bill “the scoundrel law”. “Everyone who tries to destroy Russia betrays it, must be punished accordingly and repay the damage to the country in the form of their property,” he said at the weekend while announcing the submission of the bill. With inputs from Reuters.