TOP LEGAL EVENTS OF THE LAST WEEK

Russia has recently been increasing its control over the economy and population of the country and taking measures to limit the activities of foreign companies. Propaganda effectively pits Russia against the "collective West." Confiscation of assets, tax hikes, and intellectual piracy prove Putin's determination to isolate Russia.

Putin has signed a decree on the expropriation of foreign assets. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed an enactment on mechanisms for introducing temporary management of foreign assets in Russia. The document brings in the external administration of Rosimushchestvo regarding the Russian subsidiaries of large energy companies: "Fortum" (Finland) and "Uniper" (Germany).

Intellectual piracy is becoming a new direction in state policy. The Speaker of the Federation Council proposes to use inventions without the consent of the rights holders. The meeting of the Council on Intellectual Property has resulted in developing a mechanism for "borrowing" necessary technologies in case of urgent "need" of the state.

Russian companies must pay an increased 30% personal income tax (PIT). Russian companies have to collect now 30% of personal income tax (paying 13% before) on payments to employees who have left to work abroad. Russian Government introduced the corresponding bill to the State Duma. The innovation should affect all those who have left and use the Russian segment of the Internet for work or have technical and software tools in Russia.

Only 0.3% of accused in Russia can count on an acquittal verdict. According to the Supreme Court’s statistics, only one acquittal verdict was delivered for every 300 sentences in Russia last year. Altogether, Russian stats for year 2022 state that 614,726 people have been convicted, and only 2062 defendants have been justified.