Doha: President Vladimir Putin of Russia has signed a law authorizing the use of the Russian Armed Forces to protect Russian citizens who are arrested, detained, or prosecuted under rulings by foreign courts in jurisdictions where Russia does not participate.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Russian military may, by presidential decree, deploy its powers to protect Russian nationals facing criminal prosecution or detention in foreign states based on decisions made by external judicial bodies without Russian involvement.

The law also applies to rulings by international judicial bodies whose jurisdiction is not rooted in an international treaty to which Russia is a party, or in a United Nations Security Council resolution adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

In addition, the legislation requires the head of state to order Russian government agencies to take all necessary measures within their authority to protect Russian citizens.