The proposed bill concerning property seizures linked to hoaxes about the Russian military sets a clear boundary: only assets directly tied to the commission of the crime would be subject to confiscation. This is the stance of Valery Fadeev, who chairs the Human Rights Council, and it frames the policy as targeted and legally precise rather than sweeping. The intention is to avoid harming innocent residents, including displaced individuals who wish to return to Russia, a nuance Fadeev stresses as he discusses ongoing discussions with NSN. The document is designed to delineate between criminal behavior tied to misinformation and the broader civilian population, ensuring that return seekers are not penalized by association with crimes they did not commit. The approach reflects a careful balance between security concerns and the protection of property rights for those who are not implicated in disinformation campaigns.
Fadeev further explained that once a decision is reached to seize property, the legal framework would provide for three possible avenues of appeal. He noted that only a small number of Russians who have left the country are currently accused of discrediting the armed forces or disseminating fake news. The implication is that the policy will not automatically criminalize everyone who has relocated abroad; instead, it will target those whose actions have a direct link to illegal influence operations or the spread of harmful falsehoods. This clarification aims to reassure citizens who remain in or wish to return to Russia that they will be evaluated on the specific evidence related to disinformation offenses, rather than on generalized assumptions about exile behavior.
According to Fadeev, the vast majority of people who were displaced did not commit any crime. He reiterated that the right to return is not obstructed by the presence of the bill, and motion to return will be considered without punitive restrictions arising from past rumors or legal charges that are not connected to the individual’s current conduct. The human rights leadership frames the policy as a mechanism to deter deliberate deception while preserving the freedom of movement and property rights for civilians who simply wish to resume life in their homeland. The underlying message is that the state recognizes the difference between those who engage in disinformation campaigns and those who merely hope to come back home.
The State Duma’s Committee on State-Building and Legislation has given preliminary approval to the bill in its first reading. Vitaly Milonov, a deputy in the State Duma, highlighted what he views as the document’s core purpose: it targets fraud related to the military, which he asserts is predominantly carried out by individuals who have left the Russian Federation. Milonov described the measure as a security provision, arguing that the property and disposal rights of those responsible for discrediting the armed forces should be expropriated as a consequence of their actions. This framing places emphasis on accountability for actions that threaten national security while maintaining a cautious approach to collective punishment.
There is a sense among observers that the concept of limiting employment rights for relocated individuals has gained traction, with discussions reflecting a broader concern about the impact of relocation on social and economic order within Russia. Supporters of the bill maintain that clawing back assets and restricting opportunities for those connected to disinformation campaigns could reduce the influence of harmful narratives. Critics warn about potential overreach and the risk of collateral harm to families who merely sought safety abroad or who support relatives staying connected to their homeland. The conversation continues as lawmakers weigh the balance between security imperatives and civil liberties, including the right to return and work without undue barriers.