Moscow bill targets face concealment but spares nationalist group

Lawmakers from the Russian Communist Party faction have submitted a bill to the State Duma proposing a ban on wearing niqabs and any other clothing that conceals the face, introducing fines of up to 30,000 rubles ($390) for violations. The initiative is presented as a measure targeting terrorists and drug traffickers, while allowing exemptions for official duties and severe weather conditions.

A copy of the draft law was obtained by RTVI.

According to Sergei Obukhov, a State Duma deputy and co-author of the initiative, the bill was introduced by 20 Communist Party lawmakers and is intended to establish a unified and systematic approach to ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order.

Under the proposal, appearing in public places with one’s face covered in a way that prevents identification would result in administrative fines ranging from 10,000 ($131) to 15,000 ($196) rubles for individuals. Repeat violations would carry penalties of between 15,000 and 30,000 rubles.

Obukhov said the measure would not apply, for example, to members of the so-called “Russian Community,” whose participants often wear balaclavas during raids.

“The adoption of the law will not affect Siberia, the Far East, and other regions with harsh weather conditions, blizzards and strong winds, nor will it affect the Russian Community for two simple reasons. The bill contains relevant provisions regarding weather conditions and official activities. Since the Russian Community does not wear balaclavas independently but during joint patrols with police, this is already considered official activity,” he told RTVI.

Proposed amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences specify exemptions for cases where face coverings are used for medical reasons, work or official duties, weather conditions, or participation in sporting and cultural events.

Another co-author, State Duma deputy Mikhail Matveyev, said in an interview with RTVI that the bill is “a complete copy” of legislation already adopted in several Central Asian countries — namely, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan — from where, he claimed, most niqab wearers originate.

He argued that the law is needed to create a unified legal framework with countries that serve as major sources of migration to Russia, in order to prevent the arrival of radical extremist elements who, unable to conceal their identities or openly display radical views at home, travel to Russia instead.

Matveyev emphasised that the draft law does not explicitly mention terms such as “niqab,” “burqa,” or “balaclava,” but instead refers broadly to clothing that prevents facial identification.

He also stated that disguises used to conceal identity are frequently employed by drug dealers and in extremist or terrorist activities, citing examples in Dagestan where men allegedly used niqabs during attacks. He added that many Russian citizens wish to preserve what he described as the traditional appearance of Russian streets, cities, playgrounds, and public spaces.

The so-called “Russian Community” is an ultra-right nationalist, Islamophobic and anti-immigration organisation known for campaigning against migrant workers in Russia.

By Tamilla Hasanova