Russia lawmakers pass bill to confiscate assets of those who discredit army

It allows seizure of money, valuables, other assets of those convicted of spreading ‘false information’ about military.

Lawmakers in Russia’s lower house of parliament have approved a bill that will allow authorities to confiscate the assets of those convicted of spreading “deliberately false information” about the military.

The State Duma passed the measure on Wednesday and the bill is expected to be approved by the upper house before being signed by President Vladimir Putin.

Once it becomes a law, the legislation will enable the government to seize money, valuables and other assets of those criticising the war in Ukraine.

The new law would apply to those convicted of publicly inciting “extremist activities,” calling for actions that would hurt the security of the state or “discrediting” the armed forces.

Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said the bill targets “scoundrels and traitors, those who today spit on the backs of our soldiers, who have betrayed their homeland, who transfer money to the armed forces of a country that is at war with us”.