Russia Confiscates Assets of Emigrants: New Law Sparks Outrage

Russia Enacts Law Allowing Confiscation of Assets from Emigrants Moscow, June 9, 2025 – A new law passed by the Russian State Duma allows for the confiscation of assets belonging to Russian citizens who have left the country and are considered to have acted against Russia's interests. The law has sparked widespread concern among those who have emigrated since the start of the war in Ukraine. The law's broad definition of 'acting against Russia's interests' is a key point of contention. It includes those who have been formally charged with crimes, but also those who have merely expressed anti-war sentiments or participated in protests abroad. This has led to fears that many Russians who left the country for safety reasons could now face the loss of their property. "They will feel what it means to violate Russian law," said Vyacheslav Volodin, Speaker of the State Duma, in a statement. The exact criteria for determining who falls under the law's purview remains unclear, leading to uncertainty and anxiety. The law is expected to affect tens of thousands of Russian citizens living abroad. Many are now scrambling to protect their assets, even considering selling them at a loss to avoid complete forfeiture. This new law underscores the increasingly repressive measures taken by the Russian government against its citizens.