Russian leader Vladimir Putin has signed a law allowing the use of the Russian army abroad allegedly “to protect the rights of Russian citizens.” The document provides for the possible deployment of troops by decision of the Kremlin chief.
This was reported by the Russian news agency Interfax.
According to the agency, the law was developed for cases involving the arrest, detention, or criminal prosecution of Russian citizens under decisions by foreign or international judicial bodies whose jurisdiction Russia does not recognize.
A conclusion by the Russian Federation Council’s Committee on Defense and Security states that in such cases there is a “possibility of using the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation” to protect Russian citizens by decision of the Russian president.
The document also stipulates that Russian state authorities must take corresponding measures to protect Russian citizens within the scope of their powers.
The law was published on Russia’s official legal information portal. It will come into force 10 days after official publication.
