Russian passports are pictured at the Goznak printing factory in Moscow, Russia on July 11, 2019. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo Obtain licensing rights
Dec 11 (Reuters) – Russians banned from traveling abroad must surrender their passports to authorities within five days of being notified, according to a government order that takes effect on Monday.
According to Russian law, authorities can impose travel bans on conscripts, Federal Security Service (FSB) employees, criminals or people with access to state secrets or “information of special importance”.
The returned passport will be stored by the issuing authorities such as Ministry of Home Affairs or Ministry of External Affairs.
After the travel ban is lifted, the passport can be returned on completion of the application as per the government order.
The resolution states that those whose right to travel is temporarily limited based on conscription for military or alternative civilian service must provide a military ID in addition to proof of their completion of service.
In March, the Financial Times, citing unnamed sources close to the matter, reported that Russia’s security services were confiscating the passports of senior officials and government company executives to prevent travel abroad.
Reporting by Lydia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Jamie Freed
Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
“Total coffee junkie. Tv ninja. Unapologetic problem solver. Beer expert.”