President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Wednesday that empowers the government to confiscate the property and seize the bank funds of Russians living abroad who are accused of acting “against Russia’s interests.” The law, which takes effect on Sept. 1, targets a broad range of offenses, including “discrediting” the Russian military, calling for sanctions against Russia, violating the country’s laws on “foreign agents,” affiliation with an “undesirable” organization and promoting “extremism.” Now, authorities no longer have to wait for a court ruling to seize the property of exiled Russians living abroad.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has signed a law enabling the confiscation of property belonging to Russians who have moved abroad and committed offences against the interests of…

The new legislation will also allow arresting their bank deposits and accounts