Law & Legislation

Legislators restore 'defamation' article in Criminal Code

The State Duma adopted amendments to the Criminal Code restoring the "defamation" article in the third reading on Friday.

14:47 13.07.2012

State Duma adopts draft law on NGOs in second reading

The State Duma adopted in the second reading a draft law on granting the foreign agent status to nonprofit organizations financed from abroad and involved in politics on Friday.

14:26 13.07.2012

Maximum fine for libel to reach $153,000

On Friday, the State Duma is expected to consider amendments to the Criminal Code reinstating punishment for defamation in the second and possibly the third reading.

12:04 13.07.2012

Federation Council report won't affect Magnitsky blacklist bill

The Federation Council's report on Magnitsky's case has not convinced the U.S. to cancel the adoption of Magnitsky's list. On Wednesday, a group of Federation Council members submitted a report to U.S. senators, congressmen and representatives of the state department which contained the preliminary Russian parliamentary investigation material.

11:35 13.07.2012

"Foreign agent" term should be removed from NGO draft law

The Presidential Human Rights Council has drawn up amendments to the draft law on non-profit organizations. In particular, it proposes to substitute the phrase "non-profit organizations fulfilling the functions of a foreign agent" with "non-profit organizations receiving funds from foreign sources for political activity".

14:03 12.07.2012

Putin increases legal protection for Russian Technologies State Corporation

President Vladimir Putin has signed a federal law expanding the possibilities of legal protection of the Russian Technologies State Corporation, with particular regard to the period when assets have not yet been incorporated into its charter capital.

12:59 12.07.2012

Libel is not cause for imprisonment says State Duma

The State Duma will remove imprisonment from the punishments stipulated by the draft law on introducing a criminal penalty for libel. The draft law was adopted by the State Duma in the first reading on Wednesday, July 11.

12:03 12.07.2012

Russia's lower house approves Internet blacklist bill

The lower house of Russia's parliament approved on Wednesday legislation to give the state powers to block blacklisted websites, a move criticized by internet freedom activists who say the law could be used to crack down on dissent.

18:44 11.07.2012

Medvedev backs Internet regulation

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev believes the Internet should be free, but subject to rules. A draft law envisaging a blacklist of websites with unlawful content was submitted to the State Duma in early June and adopted in the first reading on July 6.

16:16 11.07.2012

Bill restoring criminal punishment for libel submitted to parliament

A draft law restoring criminal liability for libel has been submitted to the State Duma.

15:54 06.07.2012

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