The law on the arrest of military personnel without trial was adopted by the State Duma in the first reading

The State Duma of Russia adopted in the first reading the draft law on disciplinary arrest of servicemen without a court decision. If this law is adopted, the decision to arrest military personnel for misconduct will be made by their commanders. Independent lawyers point out that the draft law contradicts the Constitution of Russia, and for its adoption it would be necessary to change the text of the Basic Law.

The draft law submitted to the Duma by deputies from United Russia, the chairman of the defense committee, Andrey Kartapolov, and his first deputy, Andrey Krasov, states that during periods of mobilization and martial law, commanders will be able to send servicemen to guard duty on their own. Now this requires a decision of the garrison court. Also, at the time of arrest, military personnel will not be paid a monetary allowance and will be charged other prescribed payments.

Arbitrary abandonment of a military unit, evasion of military service obligations, damage to military property, or being on duty while intoxicated can be grounds for arrest. The list will be updated.

The authors of the bill based their proposal on the fact that during mobilization and hostilities, garrison courts may be too far away to quickly make decisions.

Lawyer Anton Golubev in a comment on the Telegram channel “Pervy Otdel” stated that the draft law contradicts the Constitution of Russia. Article 22 of the Constitution states that arrest, detention and detention are permitted only by court order.