The Russian State Duma has approved a bill in its third reading that allows for the freezing of assets belonging to individuals suspected of involvement in sabotage. This legislative move expands the scope of existing measures currently applied to the financing of terrorism.

The approved amendments modify the Federal Law “On Countering the Legalization (Laundering) of Proceeds from Crime and the Financing of Terrorism.” The key change grants greater authority to the interdepartmental coordinating body responsible for combating the financing of terrorism, enabling them to freeze the accounts and property of individuals suspected of participating in sabotage activities, including those who finance such acts.

The explanatory note accompanying the bill underscores the urgent need to bolster anti-sabotage protection for critical infrastructure given the current socio-political climate. The authors of the bill emphasized that the existing law lacks provisions to address sabotage activities effectively. As a result, it is not currently possible to counteract sabotage by blocking funds.