A Russian parliamentarian submitted a bill Thursday that would bar foreigners from taking part in political protests across the country.
Yevgeny Fyodorov, a State Duma deputy representing the ruling United Russia party, told The Moscow Times that the proposed legislation would prevent "provocations" from taking place during political protests.
"Why should foreigners be allowed to take part in protests if they aren't allowed to vote?" Fyodorov said. "We have seen that methods used to overthrow governments have come from groups of provocateurs."
Fyodorov's bill echoes President Vladimir Putin's recent statements about the threat of foreign-sponsored so-called "color revolutions" in Russia. Last week, Putin urged Interior Ministry officials to foil the sources of color revolutions, whose aim he said was "to provoke civil conflict and strike a blow at our country's constitutional foundations," according to the Kremlin's website.
At a Security Council meeting in November, Putin said that color revolutions that have occurred in some post-Soviet republics should serve as a "lesson and warning," and that they should be prevented at all costs.
Fyodorov suggested that if his bill is adopted, law enforcement assigned to ensure security at political protests would be allowed to turn away individuals unable to produce a Russian passport.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
