Approved Russian government rules on the confiscation of passports for Russians who have been restricted from leaving the country have come into force today. The regulation was published on November 24 and signed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

According to it, Russians must, within five days after receiving notification of restriction of exit, hand over their passports for storage to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, or to the state organization that applied such a restriction on them.

Such a ban, according to the law 114-FZ, may be imposed on people who have access to state secrets and "information of special importance"; when being sent to military service; when serving in the FSS; if a citizen is a suspect, accused in a criminal case; convicted; does not fulfill obligations (debts) imposed by the court; recognized bankrupt or provided false information when applying for a passport. In addition, according to the amendments in force since April, exit is closed for those who have been sent a summons to the military enlistment office.

When handing over a passport, an acceptance certificate is drawn up in two copies, one of which is given to the citizen in hand, and the other remains with the authorized body.

Passports are returned after the travel restriction is lifted or if the document handed over for storage has expired.

This is taking Russia back to the Soviet times when going abroad was virtually impossible for most citizens.

Next step would be making Russiabs to obtain permissions from the government to even receive passports to go abroad.

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