Russian lawmaker urges use of overseas-protection law after Rybar founder’s arrest

Alexey Zhuravlev, deputy head of the State Duma’s defence committee, said the arrest of Rybar founder Mikhail Zvinchuk in Montenegro could be a test case for a law on using Russian forces abroad to protect citizens. No military action has been announced.

Zhuravlev said the case was suitable for testing the law in practice and noted that Montenegro is a NATO member. His remarks were reported by the Telegram channel Ostorozhno, Novosti.

The arrest took place on October 9. Lenta.ru reported that Zvinchuk’s wife and three team members were detained with him. The Associated Press reported five people arrested in total and quoted Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic as saying the country’s institutions were protecting Montenegro’s interests and its European path. AP said the arrests were linked to suspicions of an attempt to destabilize the country.

President Vladimir Putin signed legislation allowing Russian forces to be used abroad in cases involving decisions by foreign courts or international tribunals whose jurisdiction Moscow does not recognize. The lawmaker’s statement is not a government decision to use force. No such decision has been publicly announced.