The Verkhovna Rada's Law Enforcement Committee is considering a draft law providing for criminal liability for "appropriation of state functions." The authors of the draft law propose a severe punishment - imprisonment for 15 years or even life imprisonment. The initiators of the project are people's deputies from the faction "Servant of the People" - Galina Tretyakova and Maryana Bezugla. According to the information on the website of the Verkhovna Rada, the document was submitted to the specialized committee for review.
According to the text of the draft law, it is proposed to supplement the Criminal Code of Ukraine with an article providing for responsibility for "appropriation of state functions by citizens." Those who speak on behalf of Ukraine without the necessary authorizations and permits at international events or before representatives of foreign countries and international organizations through various forms of communication, such as correspondence or telephone conversations, will be punished for this violation.
Proposed sanctions include deprivation of liberty for a period of 10 to 12 years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of 10 to 15 years, as well as confiscation of property. During martial law, quarantine can be increased to imprisonment for 15 years or life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The authors of the draft law consider it necessary to fight against "disgraceful citizens" who, according to them, try to appropriate state functions for their own benefit, although no specific examples are given.
Maryana Bezugla commented on the reaction of the media and social networks to the draft law in her Facebook post as follows: "It's so cute how the draft law joke works. Tomorrow I can register Russia's resignation."
