The Russian State Duma has approved, in both second and third readings, a bill allowing the use of Russian armed forces outside the country to protect Russian citizens abroad. TASS reported.
The amendments apply to the laws “On Citizenship” and “On Defense.” The bill was prepared by the Russian Defense Ministry and submitted to parliament on March 19. It passed its first reading on April 14.
Under the new version of the law, decisions on the “extraterritorial” deployment of the military will be made by the president of Russia.
As the Faridaily project previously noted, the practical significance of the initiative remains unclear, since Russian legislation already grants the president authority to take measures aimed at protecting Russian citizens and interests abroad. The reference is to Article 8 of the law “On Security,” which allows responses to actions by foreign states and international organizations that Moscow considers contrary to its interests.
Andrei Kartapolov, head of the State Duma Defense Committee, linked the need for the legislation to the case of Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, who had been detained in Poland. He was released in late April.
Lawyers interviewed by Kommersant suggested the law could become the legal basis for escorting and protecting vessels belonging to the so-called “shadow fleet” operating under sanctions. Russian military ships are already involved in escorting such vessels.
The Bell, meanwhile, reported that Russian lawmakers had looked to the 2002 American Service-Members’ Protection Act—ASPA, also known as the “Hague Invasion Act”—as a model. The law was adopted to shield U.S. military personnel and officials from potential prosecution by the International Criminal Court.
The ICC has previously issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin, Russian children’s rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, and several Russian military officials, including former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.