Russian Lawmakers Approve Confiscating Assets of Army Critics

The lower house of Russia’s parliament has approved a bill allowing authorities to confiscate assets from those convicted of spreading false information about the country’s military, with the bill expected to swiftly pass through the upper house and receive President Vladimir Putin’s signature. The new law targets those convicted of publicly inciting extremist activities or discrediting the armed forces, with the aim of punishing and compensating for damage inflicted on the country at the cost of their property. Critics fear the law will be used to silence Putin’s critics, as existing legislation against discrediting the military has already led to long prison terms for activists and bloggers.