News

US "concerned" by Russia's adoption ban amendment

The White House voiced concerns Tuesday over the Russian bill that would ban adoptions of Russian children by US citizens. In its response to a petition calling for sanctions to be imposed on Russian lawmakers, the White House issued a statement saying that the US “will continue to raise these concerns with the Russian government.”

16:05 25.12.2012

Bill enhancing rights of detainees and ECHR applicants approved

The Russian government commission has approved a bill allowing detainees to meet with lawyers representing them in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

15:43 25.12.2012

Russian kids rights czar claims US adoption ban in line with international law

Responding to charges reportedly asserted by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets, Children's Rights Commissioner Pavel Astakhov declared that Russia's willingness to ban US adoptions of its children are in line with its obligations under international law, and that he's prepared to say as much to President Vladimir Putin.

15:08 25.12.2012

Russian bailiffs may be allowed to carry and use weapons

MP Alexander Ageyev is drafting a bill allowing bailiffs in Russia to carry guns. “There were 244 potentially life threatening attacks committed against bailiffs in the first ten months of 2012,” Ageyev said, justifying why bailiffs should be entitled to carry weapons.

12:23 25.12.2012

Russia's ex-finance minister tags 'anti-Magnitsky' law purely political

A bill adopted by the lower house of Russia’s parliament, which bans US citizens from adopting Russian children, is purely political and is designed to distract public attention from other problems, says a public organization led by ex-finance minister Alexei Kudrin.

10:57 25.12.2012

Anti-US proposed sanctions not to hinder pending adoptions - official

Russian children, whose adoption documents are already being executed, will be adopted even if the “Dima Yakovlev Law” comes into effect, said Mikhail Margelov, Chairman of the Federation Council International Affairs Committee.

15:05 24.12.2012

Russia's Supreme Court backs bill on life isolation of pedophiles

Russia's Supreme Court has backed the bill allowing to banish pedophiles to reservations after they are released from prison.

12:49 24.12.2012

Russia to lose access to children adopted in US - FM Lavrov

By terminating the Russian-U.S. adoption agreement, Russia will lose access to Russian children who have already been adopted, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says.

11:21 24.12.2012

Over 6,000 sign US Magnitsky Act petition

In two hours, almost 6,000 people signed a petition to make Russian lawmakers, who voted in favor of the US adoptions ban, accountable under the Magnitsky Act.

12:08 23.12.2012

Introduction of compulsory labor as alternative sanction postponed

The State Duma has adopted in its third reading a law postponing until January 1, 2014 the introduction of compulsory labor as a new form of punishment.

17:57 21.12.2012

Top news

Russian courts allowed not to implement rulings of Europe's human rights court

Russia's Supreme Court proposed not to implement rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR).

12:53 09.12.2025

Redomiciliation stalls: How sanctions are shaping new practices for Russian companies

The mechanism for redomiciliating foreign companies to Russian jurisdiction, in effect since 2018, has recently encountered serious obstacles. Taking into account the background of sanctions-related restrictions introduced in 2022 through 2025, it has become extremely difficult to achieve the goal. The situation gave rise to the phenomenon of dual domicile and led to a rise in the number of new litigations, both in Russia and abroad.

12:32 09.12.2025

Soldiers jailed for killing US journalist Russell Bentley

A military court in Donetsk sentenced three soldiers to up to 12 years in prison for torturing and killing Russell Bentley, a 63-year-old U.S. national who collaborated with Sputnik news agency.

14:05 08.12.2025