On September 25, 2025, deputies of the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted amendments to Article 330.1 of the Criminal Code of Russia on the liability of “foreign agents” in the second and third readings. This was reported by the occupation media.
According to the new law, now a single violation of Article 19.34 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation or a criminal record for a similar offense is sufficient to incur criminal liability. The penalty provides for up to two years of imprisonment. Previously, two administrative violations within a year were required to initiate a criminal case.
Explaining the decision, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said:
“Those who, having betrayed our country, are trying to weaken and destroy it, must understand that they will be held accountable for their actions to the full extent of the law. The punishment has become more severe.”
He also cited the example of Western countries in an attempt to justify the new restrictions.
“In a number of Western countries, legislation regarding foreign agents is much stricter than in Russia. In the United States, for example, criminal liability immediately applies, with a minimum of five years’ imprisonment,” noted the chairman of the State Duma.
The Crimean Tatar Resource Center emphasizes that the adoption of this law demonstrates a further restriction of freedom of speech and increased persecution of civil society in the Russian Federation, which directly affects the occupied territories of Ukraine.