Criminal liability for forging and trafficking in fake certificates confirming the absence of dangerous diseases

Federal Law No. 164-FZ of 10.06.2026 “On Amendments to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and Article 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation” supplements the Criminal Code with a new Article 235.2. The article provides for liability for forging and trafficking in fake official documents confirming the absence of diseases that pose a danger to others

➡️Part 1 of Article 235.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provides for punishment for forging, selling, acquiring, possessing and transporting a fake document confirming the absence of a disease that poses a danger to others. 
The use of fake medical documents is punishable by
— restriction of liberty for up to 3 years, with a fine of 500 thousand to 1 million rubles,
— compulsory labor for up to 4 years, with a fine of 500 thousand to 1 million rubles, or 
— imprisonment for up to 4 years, with a fine of 500 thousand to 1 million rubles.

The list of diseases is approved by Decree No. 715 of the Government of the Russian Federation of 01.12.2004.

➡️Part 2 provides for liability for forging, selling, acquiring, possessing and transporting a fake official document confirming the absence of an infectious disease; the penalty is increased: 
— restriction of liberty for 2 to 4 years, with a fine of 800 000 to 1 500 000 rubles; 
— compulsory labor for 2 to 5 years, with a fine of 800 thousand to 1.5 million rubles, or 
— imprisonment for 2 to 5 years, with a fine of 800 thousand to 1.5 million rubles.

For a foreign citizen, a criminal case automatically entails cancellation of a patent, temporary residence permit or residence permit, deportation, and a multi-year ban on entry.

➡️Part 3 provides for liability for the acts specified in Parts 1 and 2, committed:
– using the internet;
– by a person using their official position;
– by a group of persons acting in prior collusion;
– to commit crimes in the territory of the Russian Federation or to conceal another crime.
The punishment is
— imprisonment for 3 to 6 years, with a fine of 1 million to 2 million rubles.
— Or without a fine, but with disqualification from holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for up to 5 years, or without such disqualification.

➡️Part 4 provides for liability for the acts specified in Parts 1, 2 and 3:
– committed by an organized group;
– resulting in the mass infection of people;
– resulting in serious consequences.
The acts are punishable by
— imprisonment for 4 to 8 years, with a fine of 1.5 million to 3 million rubles.
— Or without a fine and with disqualification from holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for up to five years, or without such disqualification.

Investigations into this category of cases will be conducted by investigators of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. 

It will enter into force on June 21, 2026.