Putin signs law introducing 30-day arrest term for violating martial law

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law introducing a 30-day arrest term for violating martial law.

The amendments introduce fines from 500 (€5) to 1,000 (€10) rubles or an administrative arrest of up to 30 days for violating martial law. Officials face a 1,000- to 2,000-ruble (€20) fine or the same arrest term.

Same rules apply if a violation is committed “with the use of a vehicle” that may be confiscated in this case.

The amendments have been added to the bill establishing the rules of seizing vehicles. The bill was introduced to the Russian State Duma back in 2021. It was approved in first reading in early April.

The second reading included changes to Russia’s administrative code that introduced fines and arrest terms for violating martial law. The amendments will be in force in the regions that have declared martial law.

In October 2022, Putin declared martial law in four occupied regions of Ukraine: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions.