Russia adopts law to revoke passports and freeze assets of exiled critics

The Russian State Duma approved a bill on July 22 with no opposition votes that creates temporary restrictions for persons outside Russia who evade punishment.

The legislation will strip overseas Kremlin critics of key citizenship rights: they will lose the ability to renew Russian passports, access Russian bank accounts and obtain consular services. Their assets in Russia may be frozen and property seized.

Targeted individuals are those convicted of political offenses, including public criticism of the war in Ukraine. The measure is expected to be ratified by the Federation Council and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin within days.

Analysts note that since the invasion about 650,000 Russians have left the country, and the new law intensifies pressure on the exiled opposition, following earlier steps that labeled independent journalists and opposition figures as foreign agents.