Russian official calls for legislative ban on foreign agents

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, has called for a legislative ban on foreign agents receiving income from sources in Russia.

He argued that leaving the country during a difficult time is an immoral act and suggested amending the legislation on foreign agents to include a direct prohibition on receiving income from sources in Russia, according to Archyde.

Medvedev referenced Boris Akunin, a recognised foreign agent who left Russia and does not support its military operation, but whose books are still being adopted in the country.

The State Duma has also proposed confiscating property and earnings from departed stars with an anti-Russian position.

Medvedev considers it necessary to introduce a legislative ban on foreign agents receiving income from sources in Russia.

He added that if a person simply left the country and “sits quietly” abroad, then this is his personal choice, but “leaving the country at a difficult moment is an immoral act.”

In an interview with Russian media and users of VKontakte, the deputy chairman of the Security Council commented on the departure of the Russians after the start of the military operation in Ukraine.

He noted that “if it’s just a choice of where to live, it’s impossible to condemn from a legal point of view.”
“As for those who live there (abroad), but receive money from sources in Russia, and even committed a criminal offense related to discrediting our armed forces, this is indeed both immoral and unacceptable,” Medvedev added.

He cited as an example the writer Boris Akunin (recognised as a foreign agent in the Russian Federation), who left Russia and does not support its military operation.

Nevertheless, Mr. Medvedev complained, in Russia “they continue to stage works based on his books.” “The question is why? Order a similar dystopia to someone. So, no, you need to give him money,” said the deputy chairman of the Security Council.

Medvedev said that “if you want to talk nasty things, say them, but you can’t get money in Russia.”

“I believe that it is necessary to amend the legislation on foreign agents, where it is directly established that persons recognised as foreign agents do not have the right to receive income from sources in Russia,” he added.