Deputies and senators proposed to introduce the concepts of “mobilization” and “martial law” into the Criminal Code

Yesterday, September 19, the State Duma submitted a package of amendments to bill on amendments to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, adopted in the first reading on July 15. It is proposed to introduce the concept of “mobilization”, “martial law” and “wartime” into the Criminal Code. For voluntary surrender, looting, leaving a unit during the period of hostilities and failure to comply with the order of the chief, imprisonment will be threatened. Attention to amendments drew head of the international human rights group “Agora” Pavel Chikov.

The State Duma intends today, September 20, to consider the bill in the second reading. Pavel Chikov draws attention to the fact that the initiative can be immediately adopted in the third, final reading.

The initiators of the amendments are senators Andrey Klishas and Olga Kovitidi, as well as nine State Duma deputies: Dmitry Vyatkin, Ernest Valeev, Vasily Piskarev, Andrey Kartapolov (all from United Russia), Leonid Slutsky (LDPR), Oleg Nilov (Fair Russia – for the Truth”), Vladislav Davankov (“New People”), Viktor Sobolev, Nikolai Kolomeitsev (both from the Communist Party).

The amendments propose to introduce two articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation – “Voluntary surrender” (Article 352.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and “Looting” (Article 356.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). For surrender, a prison term of 3 to 10 years is threatened (if there are no signs of treason), for looting – up to 15 years in prison. The article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation on aggravating circumstances (Article 63) introduces the commission of a crime “during the period of mobilization or martial law, in wartime or in conditions of an armed conflict or combat operations.”

They will also toughen the punishment for unauthorized abandonment of a unit during mobilization and martial law (Article 337 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). For leaving the unit for a period of 2 to 10 days, one faces up to 5 years in prison (instead of one year), for a period of 10 days to a month – up to 7 years in prison (instead of 3), for a period of more than a month – from 5 to 10 years imprisonment (instead of 5).

In addition, it is proposed to supplement Art. 332 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (non-execution of an order). For “non-fulfillment by a subordinate of an order of a superior given in the prescribed manner, during a period of martial law, in wartime or in conditions of an armed conflict or combat operations, as well as refusing to participate in military or hostilities” is threatened with imprisonment for a term of two to three years. Also, articles on non-execution of state defense orders and violation of the terms of a state contract are introduced into the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Articles 201.2, 201.3, 285.5, 285.6).

In September, the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, criticized the course of the military operation in Ukraine against the backdrop of “coagulation” troops in the areas of Balakliya and Izyum in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. Mr. Kadyrov declaredthat if “no changes are made” to the conduct of the military operation, he will “go out to the leadership of the country” to explain to them the situation “on the ground.” Head of Chechnya thinksthat the regions do not need to wait for the declaration of martial law and start local mobilization. In his opinion, the subjects of the Russian Federation should help the state by “concrete actions”.

The idea of ​​”self-mobilization” has already been supported by the authorities Crimea, Kuzbass, Kursk and Novosibirsk regions, Mari El Republic, Chuvashia. In the Kremlin considerthat the proposal of the head of Chechnya should be evaluated by the Ministry of Defense. Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov 13 September declared on the need to mobilize forces and resources in the country. State Duma Deputy from United Russia Mikhail Sheremet suggested announce “full mobilization”, but the Kremlin assuresthat this option is not being considered. State Duma deputies also suggested allow citizens with many children to enter the military reserve.

Read more about “self-mobilization” – in the material “Kommersant” “Additions are expected from the regions”.