Putin pushes for tougher registration laws

Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted a bill to Russia’s lower house of parliament that would introduce criminal liability for Russians and foreigners who violate certain rules for registering at their place of residence.The bill would levy fines of up to 500,000 rubles (about $15,000) or a prison term of up to three years for Russian, foreign or stateless citizens who register at a residence based on false documentation.

A possible provision may also prohibit offenders from holding certain positions or partaking in certain activities in Russia for a term of up to three years.

Hundreds of thousands of people register each year in thousands of so-called “rubber homes” in Russia with no intention of living at the locations, according to the bill’s explanation. In 2011 alone, nearly 300,000 people were registered at more than 6,400 such residences.

The bill would also levy fines of up to 5,000 rubles (about $150) for private Russian citizens and up to 750,000 rubles (about $25,000) for legal entities that fail to register.

Currently, Russia's Code of Administrative Offenses stipulates that Russians without proper registration may receive as little as a simple administrative warning.

According to Russian law, every Russian and foreign citizen must be registered, either permanently or temporarily, according to his or her current place of residence.