Russian parliament approves bill allowing army to protect citizens abroad

Russia’s State Duma has adopted a government-backed bill in its second and third readings, allowing the use of the armed forces to protect citizens abroad in cases of arrest or criminal prosecution by foreign courts.

Under current rules, the Russian president already has the authority to deploy the armed forces for tasks beyond their primary functions, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

During a plenary session, the authors of the initiative propose specifying that the head of state may also deploy military units to protect Russian citizens from prosecution by foreign and international courts that operate without Russia’s participation.

The bill also stipulates that, by presidential order, state bodies will be required to take measures to protect Russian citizens in cases of arrest, criminal prosecution, or other legal actions taken by foreign jurisdictions.

If signed into law by the president, the legislation will come into force 10 days after its official publication.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov