Russia Prepares 'Loyalty Agreement' for Foreigners Amid Crackdown on Dissent

Proposed law would bar criticism of official policies, Soviet history, and contravention of traditional family values ahead of 2024 presidential election.

Russia's interior ministry is preparing a draft bill that would require foreigners entering the country to sign a 'loyalty agreement', prohibiting them from criticizing official policies, discrediting Soviet military history, or contravening traditional family values.
The proposed law is seen as part of Russia's crackdown on dissent ahead of the 2024 presidential election, which is expected to secure President Vladimir Putin a fifth term lasting until 2030.
The 'loyalty agreement' would also bar foreigners from sharing public information about LGBTQ relationships and from 'distorting the historical truth' of the Soviet role in the Second World War.
The draft bill, which is expected to be sent to Russia's parliament soon, does not specify what kind of punishment individuals could face for breaking the agreement.
The Kremlin has not commented on the proposed law, which comes amid a broader crackdown on behavior and speech believed to be anti-Russian since the invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

South China Morning Post

Reuters