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Bill letting foreign ex-convicts to sign contract with Russian army submitted to Duma

According to the explanatory note, starting from June 24, 2023 Russian citizens with a criminal record or those who have committed crimes of minor and medium gravity have been allowed to sign contracts with the Armed Forces

MOSCOW, January 12. /TASS/. /TASS/. The Tula Region’s legislature has submitted to the State Duma a bill letting foreigners with a criminal record to serve in the Russian army under contract, as follows from the text of the document posted in the Duma’s electronic database.

According to the explanatory note, starting from June 24, 2023 Russian citizens with a criminal record or those who have committed crimes of minor and medium gravity have been allowed to sign contracts with the Armed Forces.

"Taking into account that in accordance with the current legislation foreign citizens also have the right to conclude a contract on military service in Russia’s Armed Forces we consider it appropriate to establish similar conditions for them as well. In addition, it is suggested setting a cut-off date - no later than March 1, 2024. The proposed changes will expand the resources of manning Russia’s Armed Forces," the memo reads.

The legislative initiative was considered on January 11 at an early meeting of the Tula Regional Duma. The bill was supported unanimously.

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