The use of vague concepts like "counter-revolutionary" and "enemy of the people" allowed the Soviets to create "instant" offenses not designated as crimes in any penal code which, under the common law concept of ___________, is an expressly forbidden practice.

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The term "ex post facto" refers to laws that apply retroactively, making an action illegal after it has been committed. This is expressly forbidden under common law principles, ensuring that individuals cannot be charged for actions that were not defined as crimes at the time they were committed. The Soviet use of vague terms to criminalize behavior after the fact is an example of an ex post facto application.

The Use of Vague Concepts Like "Counter-Revolutionary" and "Enemy of the People