The State Duma of the Russian Federation (lower house) discussed a bill on January 22nd regarding the arrest of financial assets, including property, of residents of Russia openly criticizing the Russian army and the "special military operation."
This information was reported by the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom on Twitter.
As stated in the summary, in recent months, several Russian writers and musicians have been convicted for criticizing the war.
British intelligence reminds that in 2022, Putin signed changes to the law on foreign agents from 2012, which was widely used for repression against regime opponents. As of November 3, 2023, the overall list of "foreign agents" comprised 707 individuals.
According to British intelligence, "foreign agents" include independent Russian news agencies and human rights organizations, many of which were forced to operate outside Russia.
"The legislation highly likely seeks to deter and silence anti-war opposition. This recent bill in conjuction with the Foreign Agents measures, likely intends to restrict criticism of the war altogether," notes the Ministry of Defense of Britain.
