A handbook specifically for workers from Central Asia details all the behaviours that must be avoided in order to avoid being subject to the measure, which is generally accompanied by a ban on re-entering the country for a period of between 3 and 5 years. Another 20 new articles of the Administrative Code are added to the offences already reported directly by the police.
Moscow () – In recent days, the Russian Interior Ministry has submitted a bill to further expand the list of grounds for which a foreigner can be expelled from the Russian Federation by decision of an administrative court. In addition to those that directly lead to expulsion on criminal grounds, these are also reported directly by law enforcement and security services. Journalist Alija Khamidullina of Asia-Plus has summarised them for the many Central Asian emigrants most affected by these measures.
Expulsion is usually ordered for violation of the legislation governing the status of migrants in Russia and is accompanied by a ban on re-entry into the country for a period of between one year and indefinitely (usually a period of between three and five years is decided). Some articles of the Administrative Code provide for compulsory repatriation, others leave the decision to the courts. The grounds for immediate expulsion, specified by the new legal measures, are illegal drug trafficking, consumption of drugs without a prescription, promotion of non-traditional sexual relations and sex change, especially in the case of minors, promotion of paedophilia, violation of the rules for entry into the Federation or the regime of stay on its territory, illegal work in Russia and refusal to repatriate already ordered.
As for the grounds for repatriation by decision of the judges, they are explained first of all as the violation of the state border regime of Russia, especially in the border areas and places of access to the federal territory, and the failure to comply with the restrictions decided in relation to the various activities carried out within the Federation. In addition, expulsion is decided upon for certain violations, relating to the rules of residence in the Federation and failure to comply with the deadlines for obtaining a driving license, one of the rules least respected by many drivers or taxi drivers of Central Asian origin.
However, since January this year, changes have been made to the Administrative Code, which provide for the possibility of avoiding deportation by paying fines or by being assigned to compulsory labour. This is the case if one has been in Russia for a long time, for family reasons, especially if there are minor children, if one has a fixed income and owns a home, for regular payment of taxes, law-abiding behaviour and other cases at the discretion of the judge, who has the power to assess these and other circumstances “based on intimate convictions”.
The new law, however, introduces 20 new articles into the code, which carry the penalty of expulsion from Russia. They relate to failure to comply with orders given by a public official of the police or other law enforcement agencies, providing false information to immigration registration offices, acts of vandalism and minor violence, public display of Nazi or extremist symbols, use of firearms outside the established norms or in places not intended for them, calls for terrorist or extremist activities on the Internet or in other ways, and other issues.
Khamidullina explains in detail all these circumstances, not only to help avoid deportation, but above all to avoid being sanctioned with a ban for several years from re-entering Russia, which would make it really difficult to organize the life of those who have no other resources than labor emigration to Russia. Advice is also given on how to appeal against such punishments, taking advantage of the help of groups and associations present in Russian territory, in particular to help Central Asian citizens in this period of great restrictions, and persecution, even very poorly motivated.
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