A criminal law is a specific set of federal legal norms. That is why it is valid throughout the Russian Federation. Consider the effect of this law in space. First of all, the issue of the place where the crime was committed is important here. It is permitted on the basis of four principles. In particular, these are:
- Territorial attribute. That is, the operation of a criminal law in space in relation to each person who committed unlawful acts on the territory of the Russian Federation, regardless of his citizenship or lack thereof. The territory of the Russian Federation includes, inter alia, airspace, inland waters and the sea. In addition, crimes committed on military aircraft and naval ships fall under the legal norms of Russia, regardless of their location. The place where there was a completely unlawful action is considered to be the point where the dangerous act occurred. In this case, the place where the consequences have occurred is not taken into account. If the crime was ongoing, the key point is the point where the last of the dangerous acts occurred. If the unlawful act was lasting, the operation of the criminal law in space as applied to the place where the criminal activity was completed. If the complicity of several persons has been established, then the place where the act was committed by the performer is taken into account.
- Citizenship. The action of the criminal law in space implies that citizens of the Russian Federation who have committed dangerous acts in the territory of another country must be punished by Russian legal standards in two cases. Firstly, if the person’s actions were recognized as a crime in a foreign country. Secondly, if the offender was not convicted in the country where the illegal actions were committed. The second paragraph excludes the possibility of re-imprisonment of a person who has already incurred responsibility for his actions.
- Extradition of persons who committed an unlawful act. Extradition involves the transfer of the guilty person to another state. This is done for the purpose of further trial, or the implementation of an already passed sentence. All the nuances of extradition are taken into account in international laws and treaties. It is worth noting that a person who is a citizen of the Russian Federation cannot be extradited at the request of another country. At the same time, Russia provides asylum rights. In particular, extradition of people persecuted for their political convictions is prohibited.
- The real and universal principle. Under the universal principle, the operation of a criminal law in space implies that stateless persons, as well as foreigners who do not permanently reside in Russia and commit unlawful acts outside its territory, are convicted in the Russian Federation in cases stipulated by agreements between countries. In addition, criminals are liable in the Russian Federation when they were not convicted in another country.
The real principle implies that foreigners and stateless persons who do not reside in Russia on constant conditions and who have committed illegal acts outside its territory should be convicted if their actions are directed against the interests of the Russian Federation. In addition, this principle also implies that, in accordance with Russian law, responsibility must be borne by people who escaped punishment in another country.
The considered criminal law norms are necessary to establish order in relations between countries, as well as to implement the principle that the crime should be punished in any case. Many of the nuances of these laws determine various international treaties.