Putin signs law stripping civil rights from Russians abroad who criticize the war

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a sweeping measure that allows authorities to freeze bank accounts, confiscate assets, deny passport renewals, and cut off consular services to Russian citizens abroad who are charged with "discrediting the armed forces," being labeled "foreign agents," or cooperating with "undesirable organizations." The law, which passed the State Duma unanimously, has been condemned by human rights organizations as a tool of political repression designed to silence dissidents in exile. Critics have dubbed it the "civil death law," warning that it creates a mechanism to render opposition figures legally and financially stateless without a criminal conviction. Those affected include journalists, activists, and opposition politicians who fled Russia after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Under the new legislation, individuals merely charged — not convicted — with the listed offenses can lose access to Russian banking systems, be denied travel documents, and be cut off from embassy assistance. Russian opposition leader Ilya Yashin, currently in exile, described the law as "an instrument of terror against everyone who dares to tell the truth about the war." The Kremlin has not commented publicly on the international reaction. The measure is part of a broader legislative campaign since 2022 that has systematically expanded the definition of state enemies and the penalties for political dissent, both inside Russia and for citizens living abroad.