Russia approves bill to confiscate assets of people who ‘discredit’ army

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left (Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

The lower house of Russian parliament has approved a bill that will allow the confiscation of money, valuables and other assets from those convicted on charges of spreading “deliberately false information” about the country’s military.

The State Duma swiftly voted to approve the bill, which is now expected to quickly sail through the upper house and be signed by President Vladimir Putin, on Wednesday.