Russia Plans to Allow Military to Defend Citizens Prosecuted Abroad

Article content(Bloomberg) — Russia is moving to allow the use of its armed forces to protect citizens facing arrest or prosecution overseas, underscoring Moscow’s hostility toward foreign courts pursuing cases against Russians.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentUnder the measure, military force could be deployed to protect Russians whose cases are in foreign courts or international tribunals whose authority Moscow doesn’t recognize, according to draft legislation published on the parliament’s website Thursday. Any decision to use the armed forces would rest with the president.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentThe speaker of the lower house of parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, said on Friday that lawmakers would prioritize the bill, according to the Interfax news service. “The Western justice system has completely discredited itself,” he said.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentWhile the actual impact of the measure remains unclear, the threat of military force could give Moscow another tool to pressure governments abroad.Article content“This bill looks like a direct threat to the International Criminal Court and other international and foreign legal entities that may take up cases against Russia and Russian officials,” said Ekaterina Schulmann, a political scientist at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin. “The message is pretty simple: if you try to detain any of our people, we can send in special forces.” Article contentThe ICC in 2023 issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes related to the alleged abduction of children from occupied areas of Ukraine. The Hague-based court has also issued warrants for other senior Russian officials for alleged crimes linked to the war.Article contentWestern countries have increased their scrutiny of the Kremlin’s operations abroad, seeking to counter alleged Russian sabotage and curtail its sanctioned energy trade by going after the country’s so-called shadow fleet. Article contentArticle content“It is difficult to imagine how it would be implemented,” said Moscow-based lawyer Sergei Badamshin. “There is a principle of reciprocity: if we stop respecting other states’ sovereignty by using military force to free our citizens, then other countries may begin to act in kind, sending their own armed forces in response.”Article contentThis could become a lever for political pressure from Moscow, according to Nikolai Petrov, a senior research fellow at the New Eurasian Strategies Centre in London.Article contentThe legislation, which still has to pass parliament and be signed by the president to become law, may also be aimed at a domestic audience. Article content“It also helps to create at the same time a sense of external threat and internal protection among the Russian public,” said Schulmann. “The Kremlin is telling them, ‘the authorities will stand up for you’.”Article contentTrending Trans Mountain readies expansion in 2027 as pipeline space fills up Oil & Gas Public-private partnership launches $1.3-billion fund to purchase unsold GTA condos Real Estate Posthaste: Canada sets two new population records as 'demographic engine' backfires News Canadian housing bears now have nine reasons backing them up Mortgages Dennis, 79, is worried about a market crash. Should he move his portfolio to 100% income? Investor Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Trans Mountain readies expansion in 2027 as pipeline space fills up Oil & Gas Public-private partnership launches $1.3-billion fund to purchase unsold GTA condos Real Estate Posthaste: Canada sets two new population records as 'demographic engine' backfires News Canadian housing bears now have nine reasons backing them up Mortgages Dennis, 79, is worried about a market crash. Should he move his portfolio to 100% income? Investor