As State Duma deputy Dmitry Gudkov is reporting from the Duma right now, the профильный committee has just backed the notorious "Rotenberg law"
The idea is simple:
Gudkov's own breakdown of the bill can be read here.
As Zhora Alburov rightly points out: now we will pay for the Rotenberg and Timchenko villas twice. First, they will steal from us to build them, and then we will pay them compensation when all that stolen property is frozen.
To better understand what exactly you, the people of Russia, will have to pay compensation for, I suggest rereading this post. ACF (Anti-Corruption Foundation) and Novaya Gazeta found Rotenberg's fifth villa in Italy (four villas have already been frozen) and had a chance to inspect its modest interior.
For example, a bathroom faucet costing €28,000
Once they pass the law, we'll be compensating the poor guy for all of it out of our own pockets.
A list of Timchenko's European property uncovered by ACF can be found here. It too is quite likely to be frozen, and we will have to pay "compensation."
That's how it is. And by the way, this is yet another argument in favor of our idea for combating illicit enrichment. Because although people keep mentioning the Rotenbergs in connection with this law (myself included), it is really more about compensating officials whose property may be frozen abroad. The very same property acquired with funds from unexplained sources, and therefore falling under Article 20 of the UN Convention.
Vote, citizens. It is very important to demonstrate a united political position on this issue. So far there are 18,000 votes. We need 100,000.