The State Duma approved in the first reading a bill on strengthening the responsibility of foreign agents

Deputies of the State Duma (State Duma) at a meeting on Tuesday, July 15, approved in the first reading a bill that would strengthen the responsibility of foreign agents for non-compliance with the operating procedure.

The draft proposes to cancel the condition that a foreign agent commits two administrative offenses under Article 19.34 of the Administrative Code of Russia ("Violation of the procedure for the activity of a foreign agent") during the year in order to incur criminal liability. The condition is proposed to be replaced by a one-time violation of the code.

"It is important for us to protect Russia from the interference of unfriendly countries acting through foreign agents. By increasing responsibility for them, we protect the interests of our citizens and ensure the security of the state," said Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma, quoted on the website of the lower house of parliament.

He stressed that persons who do not comply with the laws of the Russian Federation, including while abroad, must be held accountable for their actions.

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Earlier, on June 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law providing for fines for non-compliance by foreign agents with the requirements of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. It was clarified that a fine of 100 to 300 thousand rubles is provided for officials, and from 300 to 500 thousand rubles for legal entities.