Russia approves expanded grounds for deporting foreign nationals

Russia’s Federation Council has approved legislation significantly expanding the list of offences that can lead to the administrative deportation of foreign nationals from the country.

The new law doubles the number of administrative violations carrying the possibility of expulsion, increasing the list from 22 to 45 offences under Russia’s Code of Administrative Offences, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Under the legislation, foreign citizens may face deportation for taking part in unauthorised rallies, “discrediting” Russia’s armed forces, calling for sanctions against Russia or publicly advocating actions deemed to threaten the country’s territorial integrity.

The expanded measures also cover violations committed during states of emergency, counter-terrorism operations or periods of martial law, as well as offences such as firing weapons in prohibited areas, obstructing traffic, disobeying law enforcement officers, petty hooliganism, discrimination and refusal to comply with border authorities.

The law introduces new grounds for deportation related to extremism and the dissemination of information considered dangerous by Russian authorities. These include inciting hatred or hostility, promoting extremist or Nazi symbols, distributing extremist materials, spreading calls for terrorism through audiovisual platforms, and abusing media freedoms to circulate prohibited content.

The legislation also raises fines for several immigration-related offences, including violations of border-crossing rules, entry requirements, residency regulations, illegal employment of foreign nationals and unlawful hiring of migrants.

By Aghakazim Guliyev