Russia Cracks Down on Financial Crimes: Supreme Court Issues New Guidelines

Strengthening Financial Security and Combating Fraud in Russia

Moscow, Russia - In a bid to prevent money laundering, tax evasion, and other financial offenses that have plagued the country in recent years, the Russian Supreme Court has issued new guidelines on the qualification of financial crimes.

New Guidelines Provide Framework for Judges

The guidelines, approved by the Plenum of the Supreme Court on July 7, 2015, and November 26, 2019, provide a framework for judges to follow when dealing with financial crimes. The rules aim to ensure consistency in the application of criminal law norms and prevent double jeopardy in the qualification of financial offenses.

Types of Financial Crimes

According to the guidelines, financial crimes can be categorized into three types:

General Financial Crimes: Violations of well-known prohibitions in the sphere of financial relations.
Special Financial Crimes: Violations of specific rules by individuals with a special status in certain spheres of financial relations.
Mixed Financial Crimes: Combine characteristics of both general and special financial crimes.

Dimensional Features

The guidelines emphasize the importance of dimensional features in the formulation of the corpus delicti (the essential elements of a crime) in financial cases. These features include:

The magnitude or scope of the offense
The harm caused to financial security
The intent of the perpetrator

The guidelines provide criteria for distinguishing between financial crimes and other related offenses, such as those against property, public service, and state power. The rules also outline circumstances that may preclude criminal liability, including:

Actual necessity
Reasonable risk

Collaborative Effort

The development of these guidelines was a collaborative effort involving external experts, including the author of this article. The results of the research were presented in the form of two draft resolutions, which have now been approved by the Supreme Court.

Impact on Russia’s Fight Against Financial Crimes

“The approval of these guidelines is a significant step forward in the fight against financial crimes,” said [Author’s Name], an external expert who contributed to the development of the rules. “By providing a clear framework for judges to follow, we can ensure that financial security is protected and that those who commit financial offenses are held accountable.”

The implementation of these guidelines is expected to have a positive impact on Russia’s efforts to combat financial crimes and maintain financial stability. The Supreme Court’s decision to issue new guidelines reflects the country’s commitment to strengthening its legal framework and protecting the financial interests of citizens, organizations, and the state.