What you need to know about the law of the Russian Federation on martial law – Picture of the Day – Kommersant

President Vladimir Putin at a meeting of the Security Council announced that he had signed a decree on the introduction of martial law in four regions annexed to Russia – in the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. What does this mode mean – in the material “Kommersant”.

How martial law is introduced

According to the federal constitutional law “On martial law”, this means a special legal regime that is introduced throughout Russia or in its individual areas. This position introduced in case of aggression against the Russian Federation or an immediate threat of aggression.

Acts of aggression against the Russian Federation may be recognized as an invasion or attack by the armed forces of a foreign state, the bombardment of Russian territory, the blockade of ports or coasts of Russia by foreign armed forces, the sending of armed groups or mercenaries into the country, and other actions committed in violation of the UN Charter.

Martial law is introduced personally by the President of Russia. His decree is immediately transmitted to the Federation Council and considered there within 48 hours. The decision is made by majority vote. If the senators vote “no”, martial law ends the day after the vote.

If the senators vote in favor of imposing martial law, it is introduced from the date proposed by the president.

After the introduction of martial law, Russia will suspend its obligations under international treaties in terms of the rights and freedoms of citizens. The country informs about the new status of the UN Secretary General and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

Who is affected by the changes

During the period of martial law, the rights and freedoms may be limited:

• Russian citizens,
• foreign citizens,
• stateless persons,
• officials,
• organizations of all organizational and legal forms and forms of ownership.

What changes after the introduction of martial law

After the introduction of martial law possible:

• organization of territorial defense (strengthening the protection of public order and strategic facilities);
• the introduction of a labor obligation (forced labor for the needs of defense, to restore economic facilities, life support systems and military facilities, and other work);
• curfew;
• forced examination of citizens and detention for up to 30 days;
• seizure of property of citizens and private organizations with subsequent compensation of its value;
• restriction of entry, exit and freedom of movement in regions where martial law has been introduced;
• prohibition or restriction on the choice of place of residence;
• a ban on leaving Russia;
• expulsion of foreigners;
• limiting the sale of drugs, alcohol, weapons and dangerous substances;
• prohibition of rallies and strikes;
• military censorship of mail and the media;
• control of telephone conversations;
• suspension of the activities of political parties, foreign and international organizations whose propaganda undermines the security of the country;
• increased secrecy at some enterprises and government agencies;
• temporary evacuation of enterprises, cultural values ​​and the population.

During the period of martial law, referendums and elections are not held:

• the President of Russia;
• deputies of the State Duma;
• deputies of local self-government bodies.

When will martial law end?

Martial law is abolished by presidential decree after the reasons for its introduction have disappeared. With its abolition, all normative acts adopted during the period of martial law are cancelled. Bodies of executive power and military command and control are returning to normal work.

In practice, martial law may continue even after the cessation of hostilities. The last time it was introduced was during the Great Patriotic War. From June 22, 1941, a special legal regime was in effect in almost the entire European part of the USSR and gradually expanded. In most of the USSR, it was canceled on September 21, 1945. In the Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian SSRs, in the west of the Byelorussian and Ukrainian SSRs, martial law was lifted only on July 4, 1946, at transport facilities even later – on May 2, 1948.