News

A Western intervention in Syria? Probably not.

According to sources on the ground, August 2012 was the deadliest month thus far in the Syria conflict. As the violence escalates and the UNSC remains politically deadlocked, some speculate that it’s only a matter of time before the West intervenes. This time, however, it may not be so easy. RAPSI takes a look at the relevant legal doctrine and speaks to experts in the field to shed light on the issue.

11:34 04.09.2012

State Duma may impose strong tobacco restrictions this Spring

The State Duma may pass an anti-tobacco bill this spring, Deputy Health Minister Sergei Velmyaikin said on Monday at a press conference in Moscow.

17:35 03.09.2012

Law on protecting children from harmful information comes into force

A new law on protecting children from information harmful to their health and development came into force on September 1. The law imposes certain restrictions on media publications. Its authors say it will give government authorities and public institutions the tools to react to any attempted moral or psychological corruption of children through the media.

11:50 03.09.2012

Federal law to be amended to authorize seizure of undeclared goods

The Russian government has submitted amendments to the Code of Administrative Violations to the State Duma that say that property not declared to the customs service could become the property of the state.

16:24 31.08.2012

UN hits and misses between the illegal arms trade and the right to bear arms

The United Nations is currently hosting its second conference in as many months aimed at regulating illicit arms trafficking. July’s conference strived, albeit unsuccessfully, to reach consensus on a binding international treaty that would regulate the global arms trade as a whole. The conference currently underway aims only to review the progress made by UN member nations individually and the international community as a whole in terms of the implementation of an action plan adopted by consensus in 2001 in order to combat the illegal trade of small arms and light weapons.

19:46 30.08.2012

Political experts criticize bill targeting anonymous online postings

Political experts regard a bill proposing to impose administrative and criminal liability for statements posted anonymously on the Internet as dubious, saying that a great part of the society would be angered by it.

11:02 30.08.2012

Proposals on nonprofit organization projects submitted to government

The Agency of Strategic Initiatives has submitted to the government proposals on state support for projects implemented by non-profit organizations.

17:55 29.08.2012

Duma may require officials to declare expenses at fall session

The State Duma may pass during its Fall session a presidential bill aimed at monitoring both the expenses and incomes of state employees.

16:57 29.08.2012

Duma may impose sanctions for anonymous cyber offenders

During its Fall session, the State Duma will consider a bill introducing administrative or criminal liability for unlawful statements posted anonymously on the Internet.

15:55 29.08.2012

US is only hurting itself by clinging to Jackson-Vanik amendment, attorney

Following Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the preservation of current United States legislation directed against the development of trade relations with Russia only undermines US interests, says Edward Mermelstein, managing partner with Rheem Bell & Mermelstein LLP.

12:19 29.08.2012

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