Russia bars consular services for Russians convicted in absentia, mirroring Belarus tactic

Russian authorities have banned Russians abroad convicted in absentia from receiving consular services, including passport renewals, under any Criminal Code article or for administrative offenses like discrediting the army. This forces affected individuals to choose between returning to Russia to serve sentences or living abroad without valid passports. The move mirrors Belarusian practices, signaling a tightening of state control over diaspora and dissidents.