Russia passes laws restricting foreign automaker assets and creating citizen blacklist

The Russian State Duma approved a law that allows authorities to deny companies from "unfriendly" countries the right to repurchase assets they previously sold in Russia. The measure, which applies to foreign automotive manufacturers such as Ford, Renault, Nissan and Mercedes, gives an arbitration court, guided by a government investment commission, the power to refuse buy‑back requests regardless of prior agreements.

In a separate legislative move, the Duma approved a law that will create an official "black list" of Russian citizens convicted abroad. Those placed on the list will face extensive restrictions, including frozen bank accounts, loss of access to state services, a ban on registering new businesses, and denial of consular assistance. Human‑rights experts say the provisions amount to a de‑ facto stripping of citizenship rights.