Russia’s parliament is considering new legislation that would give the state the power to seize the property of people convicted of defamation of the armed forces or for calling publicly for actions that undermine state security.
Criticising what Moscow calls its ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine has effectively been a crime in Russia since the day it began almost two years ago, but the new bill aims to make penalties for that even tougher.
It would enable the state to take possession of the belongings of Russians who have left the nation and expressed disapproval of the conflict but who yet depend on the money they get from renting out their homes or flats in Russia.
The measure, which might impact thousands of Russians who have voiced their opposition to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, has been compared to the ‘enemy of the state’ language of the witch hunts conducted under Soviet dictator Josef Stalin in the 1930s.
The new draft has been nicknamed “the scoundrel law” by Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the lower chamber of parliament, the State Duma, who is close to President Vladimir Putin.
‘Everyone who tries to destroy Russia, betrays it, must be published accordingly and repay the damage to the country in the form of their property,’ he said at the weekend while announcing the submission of the bill.
The new bill’s announcement coincides with the presentation of several boxes containing signed petitions endorsing Vladimir Putin’s candidature for president in March, a poll in which he is virtually guaranteed to win a second term in power.
Putin is running as an independent, which would allow him to maintain control over Russia for at least another six years, despite his strong ties to the ruling United Russia party.
The 71-year-old leader has already twice used his influence to change the constitution, giving him the ability to potentially hold onto power until he is in his mid-80s.
With Stalin’s 1953 death, he had already held the position of Kremlin leader for the longest period of time.
In order to be listed on the ballot, independent candidates in Russia must submit at least 300,000 signatures collected from 40 different areas of the nation.
According to Russian press sources, the Central Elections Commission received 95 cardboard boxes containing signed petitions from Putin’s campaign team. According to earlier estimates, the campaign had amassed over two million signatures.
For crying out loud, this is the twenty-first century. Russia appears to be returning to the past. They had a taste of independence under Gorbachev, but Vladimir Putin has returned them to the dark ages. But then, this is a country of serfs; it always has been and always will be.
If this madman feels like he’s losing, he won’t hesitate to hit the nuclear button, and then Iran, China, and North Korea will be eager to join the fray. For most, at least, it will end quickly. Oh, the joys of living in an open prison called Russia.
Vladimir Putin doesn’t only want his men to die in this pointless war; he also wants their silent obedience while it’s happening. Why would anyone want to live in a country run by a paranoid oppressor and despot? I mean, really, why?
Yes, Russia is the bulwark of democracy, justice, and the law. They really couldn’t look any more like pantomime villains, even if they had enormous fake moustaches.
It’s not the first time, though, that a state has chosen to seize assets or imprison people according to their ideas. Written constitutions are crucial because they allow the state to be held accountable; otherwise, tyranny will prevail wherever in the globe. Together, we must all stand up for our right to free speech and opinion.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 