Putin Signs Laws Increasing Penalties for Armed Rebellion and Enabling Taliban Ties

Dec 28, 2024, 08:50 AM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a series of laws aimed at tightening penalties for various offenses. One law extends criminal liability for military service crimes to volunteers, including non-compliance with orders, desertion, and destruction of military property. Another law increases penalties for armed rebellion, with sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years in prison, and excludes parole for those convicted of terrorism or armed rebellion. Additionally, Putin signed a law that imposes criminal penalties for the repeated sale of alcohol, tobacco, and vapes to minors, with fines up to 80,000 rubles or corrective labor for up to one year. A law was also enacted to allow the temporary suspension of the ban on activities of organizations listed as terrorist groups, which could pave the way for official ties with the Taliban in Afghanistan and HTS in Syria. Furthermore, Putin signed a law decriminalizing medical activities by removing the application of safety service provision laws to medical care. He also extended credit holidays for participants in special operations and their families, and introduced penalties for foreigners aiding enemies, with sentences up to 15 years.