The Russian State Duma, during a session on Tuesday, passed in its first reading a draft law that would grant President Vladimir Putin the authority to deploy Russian Armed Forces formations extraterritorially to protect Russian citizens abroad. The bill aims to safeguard the rights of Russians in cases where they are arrested, detained, or subjected to criminal prosecution by foreign courts or international bodies without Russia's participation.

According to the explanatory note accompanying the bill, it was developed to counter decisions made by foreign states or international judicial bodies whose jurisdiction is not based on international treaties signed by Russia or UN Security Council resolutions. Under the current Article 8 of the federal law "On Security," the president is empowered to take measures to protect Russian citizens if foreign or international bodies adopt decisions contrary to Russia's interests.

Andrey Kartapolov, chairman of the State Duma's Defense Committee, commented on the bill during the plenary session, stating that the committee supports its concept. He claimed that the proposed regulation would help protect the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens, shield Russian organizations from foreign unlawful encroachments, and counteract what he described as a "campaign of rampant Russophobia" on the international stage. This move could potentially escalate tensions with Western regimes and raise concerns about its alignment with international legal norms, highlighting Russia's assertive stance in global affairs amid ongoing geopolitical friction.

Source: kun.uz