All news

Russia’s lower house may pass bill on criminal liability for enforcing US sanctions

As the Duma speaker explained, "it would be right to introduce liability for those who will be guided by anti-Russian decisions of foreign states in their activity on the territory of Russia"

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. A bill on introducing criminal liability for carrying out US sanctions on Russian soil, proposed by State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, may be submitted for consideration of the lower house and adopted during the spring session, first deputy head of the United Russia faction Andrei Isayev told reporters.

"I think during our work on the law on counter sanctions, a bill on criminal liability for enforcing US sanctions on Russia’s territory will be drawn up," Isayev said, explaining that under the Russian legislation the amendments to the Criminal and Administrative Codes may be introduced only by additional bills.

"Certainly, this [bill on criminal liability] will be adopted during the spring session," he said.

According to the politician, no sanctions slapped by the US Congress and the president may be in force in Russia in the framework of the Russian jurisdiction. "Any attempt to extend and observe them should be certainly curbed by the state," he stressed.

Touching on criminal liability, Isayev said this measure may be introduced against individuals and officials. "The companies may face only administrative liability," he noted. Serious fines may be slapped on individuals for this offense, he said.

On April 20, Speaker of the State Duma (the lower house of Russia’s parliament) Vyacheslav Volodin pressed for the introduction of a ban on carrying out US sanctions on Russian soil and did not rule out criminal liability for its breach.

As the Duma speaker explained, "it would be right to introduce liability for those who will be guided by anti-Russian decisions of foreign states in their activity on the territory of Russia."