The lower house of Russia’s parliament, the State Duma, passed a bill amending the country’s criminal code to impose prison terms for vague actions which undermine state security or for “confidential communications with foreign groups. The draft amendment – Bill No. 130406-8 – was submitted to the State Duma of the Russian Federation by parliamentarians from United Russia. Details of the bill were posted State Duma’s official website and reported by multiple media. If passed, it would impose prison terms of between two to eight years for Russian citizens, including journalists, found to be “secretly establishing and maintaining contact with a special service of a foreign state, international or foreign organization, or with their representatives in order to assist them in activities knowingly directed against the security of the Russian Federation.” Those found guilty would also face a potential fine of up to 1 million rubles. It also carries penalties of up to seven years in prison for those who commit the vaguely-defined crime of “public calls for activities against the security of the Russian Federation or for hindering the exercise of their powers by government agencies and their officials.” Critics said the bill would pose another serious threat to independent journalists who remain within the country, as well as a tool to criminalise those who fled the country after the war in Ukraine began. It is understood that journalists – especially investigative journalists – in Russia who write for certain international or Western media outlets could face prosecution under the law. Those writing for Western media supporting Ukraine would likely be deemed to be “collaborating” with “foreign organisations” in those states and could be ensnared in the new law. Legal exerts said the law – like those passed before it on misinformation and “fake” news – is deliberately vague, so as to be used selectively when needed. In addition, the law would impose criminal sanctions on any individuals working abroad with organisations that the government has labelled as “undesirable”. A deadline of June 27 was given to submit amendments. After that it moved to the Federation Council, the upper house, for a vote.