Russia's Justice Ministry Launches Registry for Emigrants Convicted in Absentia

Russia's Justice Ministry has launched a test version of a new public registry titled the list of individuals subject to temporary restrictive measures. The database targets Russian citizens living abroad who have been convicted in absentia under the Criminal Code or specific political administrative articles, such as those governing foreign agent activity. Currently, the registry is in a testing phase and contains only one fictional entry for a person named Pyotr Petrovich Petrov.

According to the reports, the registry will display full names, dates and places of birth, taxpayer ID numbers (INN), and social insurance numbers (SNILS). It will also include special ruble account numbers where any income the listed individual earns within Russia will be forcibly transferred. The restrictions associated with the registry include frozen bank accounts, bans on selling real estate or vehicles, and the loss of access to the Gosuslugi public services portal and online banking. Additionally, listed individuals may be barred from obtaining certain consular services, such as foreign travel passports.

The registry follows a law signed by Vladimir Putin on August 4. While both sources describe the legal mechanisms, a center left outlet frames the registry as a de facto list of enemies of the people and notes that State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin signaled the law would be used for the political persecution of dissenters.