Russia’s State Duma takes up bill to freeze assets, block bank transfers of Russians who criticize authorities from abroad

Russia's parliament has approved amendments to legislation that would freeze assets and block bank transfers for Russian citizens living abroad who've been convicted of criticizing government authorities. Meduza reports the State Duma advanced the bill ahead of a second reading set for July twenty-second. The expanded version targets Russians in both criminal and administrative cases and adds new restrictions: banks would deny app and online account access to anyone on the registry, blocking money transfers. Real estate transactions face tighter controls as well. If passed in the second reading, the law would take effect upon official publication.

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