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Russian Parliament Passes Law Allowing Criminal Defendants to Join Military at Trial Stage

Sep 24, 2024, 01:28 PM

The Russian State Duma, the lower chamber of the parliament, has adopted a new law allowing criminal defendants to join the military. This legislation enables individuals accused of crimes to enlist during mobilization, martial law, and wartime, potentially having their criminal records expunged. Previously, only suspects and convicts could enlist to escape liability. The new law expands this provision to include defendants, closing a loophole in the previous legislation. Critics argue that this gives law enforcement more incentives to prosecute individuals on weak grounds. The law also allows signing military contracts with defendants at the trial stage.