A police officer is visible through the bars on a police station window in Moscow, 12 January. Photo: EPA-EFE/YURI KOCHETKOV
The Russian Interior Ministry has asked for the police to be given powers to “preserve and strengthen traditional Russian spiritual and moral values”, a draft presidential decree the ministry drew up has revealed.
The decree, which is yet to be signed by Vladimir Putin, proposes an addition to the ministry’s remit to cover “activities aimed at preserving and strengthening traditional Russian spiritual and moral values”.
An explanatory note says endowing the police with such powers was required to bring legislation “into line with the objectives of public policy”. It does not, however, expound on how police officers might carry out their new functions.
The Russian government approved a plan of action on the preservation and strengthening of “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values” on 1 July.
Putin had signed a similar decree in November 2022, which specified that state policy in the area would be applied in “education and … youth work”, as well as other domains, adding that law enforcement and security forces would be involved in its implementation.
Putin signed a further decree in August offering temporary residence permits to overseas citizens moving to Russia to escape “neoliberal values”. Upon approval, applicants would be issued with a three-month single-entry visa, and the opportunity to lodge an application to remain in the country.
