Russia empowers police to deport foreign nationals for offences

The Federation Council has approved amendments to the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO) during a plenary session, granting the police new powers to unilaterally decide on the deportation of foreign nationals and stateless persons for certain infractions.

The new legislation allows law enforcement officials to enforce administrative deportations, a power previously reserved for judges and border guard officials, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Under the current legal framework, administrative deportation is imposed by a judge or, in cases involving violations at the point of entry, by border control officers. With the enactment of this law, such decisions will also fall under the jurisdiction of internal affairs officials.

The law stipulates that the detention of foreigners and stateless persons pending deportation will not exceed 48 hours in specialized facilities.

Prior to this decision, the General Prosecutor’s Office had warned legislators about the potential implications of expanding police authority in immigration matters. The office expressed concerns that this extension of police powers could infringe upon the rights of law-abiding Russian citizens.