Russia's State Duma approved legislation in its second and third readings restricting the banking, property, consular and other rights of Russian nationals facing criminal or politically related administrative cases who remain outside the country, according to an official release seen by IntelliNews.

The measures create a legal category of citizen who retains nationality while losing most of its practical benefits, aimed at journalists, politicians, activists and human rights workers who left after February 2022 and are beyond the reach of Russian enforcement. Human rights group First Department described the original proposal as a "law on deprivation of citizenship".

The bill covers two groups. The first comprises people convicted of criminal offences who remain abroad and are deemed to be evading punishment. The second covers those subject to final administrative rulings under six politically sensitive provisions, including breaches of foreign agent rules, calls to violate Russia's territorial integrity, discrediting the armed forces, calls for sanctions and participation in an undesirable organisation.

State bodies would first need to establish that a person is outside Russia and avoiding enforcement.

Those listed would lose access to most consular notarial services, including applications for new foreign passports, registration of marriages, vehicles and property, and powers of attorney for asset transactions. Remote banking, banking applications, state digital services, electronic signatures and electronic powers of attorney would be blocked, and rights over property, vehicles and funds inside Russia suspended.

Payments including pensions and transfers would be credited to a special ruble account governed by Central Bank rules. Fines and state debts could be deducted from it, while relatives without their own income could draw a monthly humanitarian allowance from the frozen funds.

The Justice Ministry would maintain the public register. An interdepartmental commission drawn from the Interior Ministry, Federal Security Service, Federal Bailiffs Service, Federal Tax Service and Prosecutor General's Office would decide who is added.

Restrictions would take effect the day after listing and could be lifted only if the ruling were overturned, the person began serving the sentence, returned to Russia or died.

State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said the legislation targeted "extremists, traitors to our Motherland, those who have spent years trying to do everything to destroy our state, justify Nazism, insult our soldiers and officers, while hiding from punishment in other states".

Lawyer Valeria Vetoshkina said the system created a closed loop, since a person could need banking access and an authorised representative to pay a fine and leave the register, while the law removes access to both.

The legislation is expected to pass the Federation Council and take effect after presidential signature and publication.