Law & Legislation

Possible adoption of Magnitsky list should not to hinder visa discussions

The possible enforcement of the Magnitsky list by the European Council will not affect the Russia-EU dialogue on visa-free travel, Anvar Azimov, the Foreign Ministry's ambassador.

17:02 27.09.2012

Duma committee approves bill on claims to recover funds for state budget

The State Duma's Budget and Tax Committee recommended on Thursday the adoption in the first reading of a government-proposed draft law establishing a five-year limitation period on claims to recover funds for the state budget.

15:59 27.09.2012

Duma approves ban on opening prisoners' letters to the president

The State Duma has passed certain government-proposed amendments to the Correctional Code in the first reading which will regulate the timeframe for censoring convicts' correspondence for the first time. These amendments will also prohibit letters addressed to certain institutions from being opened, including any written to the Russian president or the European Court of Human Rights.

12:14 27.09.2012

Treason and espionage: a closer look at Russia's draft laws

Russia’s lower house, State Duma, took the first formal steps to pushing through a series of amendments aimed at expanding the scope of the Criminal Code articles at the heart of Russia’s national security legislation, those on high treason, espionage, and the disclosure of state secrets.

12:03 27.09.2012

State Duma bans suspended sentencing option for habitual offenders

On Wednesday the parliament's lower house adopted a governmental law in the third reading which bans courts from issuing conditional sentences to repeat serious offenders and individuals who have committed grave crimes.

11:21 27.09.2012

MPs suggest toughening advertising law to protect children from harmful information

A Just Russia deputies have proposed amendments to advertising law to protect minors from harmful information, Izvestia daily reports.

18:07 26.09.2012

Senate endorses bill on unified notary database

The Federation Council approved a draft law introducing a single notary information system on Wednesday. The relevant amendments have been made to the Fundamentals of the Laws on the Notary System and other legislation.

15:42 26.09.2012

Bill on sanctions for unwarranted prosecution drafted

A draft law on criminal responsibility for wrongful investigative actions, operational search measures, and the initiation of criminal cases has been drafted in Russia.

15:19 26.09.2012

State Duma to discuss certain lawmakers' alleged business activities

A State Duma commission will hear on September 27 materials on the alleged business activities of ruling United Russia and Liberal Democratic Party members in the Duma.

14:28 26.09.2012

Draft law on religious offence punishment submitted to State Duma

Lawmakers have submitted a bill to the State Duma which stipulates a prison sentence of up to 5 years and increases fines by a factor of 100 for causing religious offence and desecrating sacred places.

12:58 26.09.2012

Top news

Russian courts allowed not to implement rulings of Europe's human rights court

Russia's Supreme Court proposed not to implement rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR).

12:53 09.12.2025

Redomiciliation stalls: How sanctions are shaping new practices for Russian companies

The mechanism for redomiciliating foreign companies to Russian jurisdiction, in effect since 2018, has recently encountered serious obstacles. Taking into account the background of sanctions-related restrictions introduced in 2022 through 2025, it has become extremely difficult to achieve the goal. The situation gave rise to the phenomenon of dual domicile and led to a rise in the number of new litigations, both in Russia and abroad.

12:32 09.12.2025

Soldiers jailed for killing US journalist Russell Bentley

A military court in Donetsk sentenced three soldiers to up to 12 years in prison for torturing and killing Russell Bentley, a 63-year-old U.S. national who collaborated with Sputnik news agency.

14:05 08.12.2025