22 of April. A law was passed that expands the powers of the FSB. Also, the law strengthens responsibility for crimes of terrorism and organizing mass riots.
The authors of the initiative were the deputies from all factions, headed the initiative of the Chairman of the Duma Committee for security and combating corruption Irina Yarovaya. The need for this bill was conceived after the terrorist attacks in Volgograd.
The law expands the rights of employees of the FSB. Now they have the right to examine citizens, their belongings and vehicles if there is good reason to suspect them in Commission of crimes and offences the investigation of which is within the jurisdiction of the FSB.
The act also makes amendments to the criminal code of the Russian Federation. It introduced new offences, in particular: management of the Commission of terrorist crimes, their Commission, as well as organization of financing of terrorist activities. For the guilty there is responsibility in the form of deprivation of liberty for a term from 15 till 20 years or life imprisonment.
The punishment for organizing mass unrest is also growing. The minimum length of imprisonment for such a violation is increased from 4 to 8 years. Also provides for criminal liability for organizing mass riots, when they are accompanied by the use not only of firearms (as it were), but any other weapons and poisonous substances and other character and items that represent a danger to others. For participating in the riots, the punishment will not change – 3-8 years of imprisonment.
In addition, it introduces the offence of "training for the learner deliberately performed for the purpose of organizing mass riots or participation in them". The responsibility for this crime is provided in the form of deprivation of liberty for a term of 5-10 years with a fine in the amount up to 500 thousand rubles or the salary or other income condemned for the period till 3 years or without it.
Recruitment to extremist organizations also will be punished by imprisonment up to 7 years. "Declination, recruitment or other involving of the person in the activities of extremist community or extremist organization" will be punished with a fine in the amount of 100 thousand – 300 thousand rubles. or compulsory labor for the term from one year to five years with restriction of liberty for a period from one year to two years, or by deprivation of liberty for a period from one year to six years with restriction of liberty for a period from one year to two years.
If the described actions were committed with the use of a person of his official position, the maximum term of criminal penalties will increase to 7 years.
Criminal responsibility for such crimes as hostage-taking, training in order to carry out terrorist activities, for organizing a terrorist community and an illegal armed formation and participation in them, for stealing water, air or railway transport, combined with the Commission of a terrorist act is enhanced by up to life imprisonment.
The Statute of limitations on crimes against the peace and security of mankind would not be applied.
Criminal cases about the crimes connected with terrorist activity, will have jurisdiction over only the North-Caucasian district military court and the Moscow district military court. To cover such cases will be by a panel consisting of three judges.
In the RF Code of administrative offences will also be amended. It should include the article "the Provision of financial support to terrorism." The responsibility for such offence, to a fine for legal entities of 10 million – 60 million rubles.
Standards approved by the state Duma, will come into force from the date of their official publication. With the exception of the article relating to the jurisdiction of criminal cases, they will enter into force on 1 January 2015.
