Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a series of laws increasing the penalties for terrorism, sabotage and treason.
Thus, treason (Article 275 of the Criminal Code) now provides punishment up to life imprisonment. The article covers espionage, giving of state secrets to foreigners, taking over the enemy or providing financial, consultancy or any other assistance to the state whose actions are against the Russian Federation.
The previous version of the law provided for a fine of up to half a million rubles and a maximum prison term of up to 20 years.
sabotage, terrorism
The penalty for an “act of terrorism” (Article 205 of the Criminal Code) now provides for up to 20 years’ imprisonment. Earlier – up to 15. The minimum period for an international terrorist act was increased from 10 to 12 years. In addition, the minimum penalty for being a member or involved in terrorist crimes was increased from 5 to 7 years. The minimum penalty for aiding and abetting terrorism was increased from 10 to 12 years. The punishment for joining the terrorist community is aggravated, now the perpetrators face prison sentences from 10 to 15 years, as before, from 5 to 10 years.
Under Article 281 of the Criminal Code “Sabotage” for actions aimed at damaging transport infrastructure facilities and the life support of the population, in order to undermine the economic and defense capability of the Russian Federation, previously the maximum penalty was increased to 20 years. It was 15 years.
The State Duma approved these changes on April 18, 2023. Vasily Piskarev, chairman of the Security and Anti-Corruption Committee, participated in its preparations. According to him, the amendments need to be adopted in order to “protect the country from threats from Ukraine and its Western sponsors.” St. Petersburg, where blogger Vladlen Tatarsky (Maxim Fomin) was killed. He made such a statement after the terrorist attack in St. Petersburg.
Military and state defense orders
Since May 12, 2014, Putin granted war veteran status to the Donbass militia and other volunteers who participated in hostilities in the DPR and LPR. The document also grants veteran status to persons who have concluded contracts with organizations of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation that contribute to the performance of their duties during a special operation. In addition, Putin approved a change to invalid combat status for persons in this category if they become disabled during combat missions.
The President also signed a law depriving the RF Armed Forces of citizenship acquired for discrediting, posing a threat to national security, terrorism, drug trafficking, document forgery, incitement to extremism, organizing riots and other crimes.
The law also reduces the number of requirements for more than 20 categories of people and allows a simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship after concluding a military service contract of at least one year.
Putin also signed a law on mandatory fingerprinting of volunteers who have contacted the RF Armed Forces and are on duty, including those outside of Russia. Previously, such citizens were covered by military personnel status, but their fingerprints were not in the registry.
Another signed law stipulates the recruitment of military personnel for peacekeeping activities on a voluntary basis by military personnel with special prior training. Previously, only contractors of the RF Armed Forces could participate in peacekeeping activities.
Also, the president gave the Bank of Russia the right to transfer monetary allowances to the army. Payments can also be made by government-approved credit institutions. Now, according to the authors of the law, there are 77 such organizations that create the prerequisites for third parties to access personal data of personnel of the RF Armed Forces.
The amendments also affected the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, the president signed a law on the exclusion of multiple administrative fines for the chief enforcer of the state defense order to include costs not related to production in the cost price. Penalty of the contractor in case of revenue of more than 1 million rubles. It will be 3 – 5 million rubles.
Electronic cigarettes and addiction
Putin also signed a law banning the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors. The law also tightens sales rules: from June 1, 2023, devices used to consume nicotine-containing products will only be able to be purchased in stores and pavilions, and distance selling will be prohibited. Placing goods on the counter and displaying them in the trade facility will also be prohibited. Any reduction in the price of such devices will be prohibited in order to reduce the demand for products. The law also applies to nicotine-free devices.
A law was also signed in which medical examination (examination and medical research) was excluded from the procedures for diagnosing drug addiction. It is not specified on which criteria this diagnosis will be made.
“Article 2 of Law No. 323-FZ establishes that drug addiction is a disease caused by addiction to a narcotic drug or psychotropic substance,” said the concluding part of the social committee of the Federation Council.
A law was also signed, allowing illegal liquor to be destroyed without a court order. It is stated that this will reduce the budget expenditures for the storage of counterfeit products. A similar mechanism is provided for the destruction of sanctioned goods – products that are prohibited from being imported into the Russian Federation. Rosalkogolregulirovanie will deal with the elimination of illegal alcohol.
officers
Putin also signed the law raising the age limit for some civil servants. Thus, a citizen who has reached the age limit for civil service will be able to enter the civil service to fill a position. Appointment to such a post is made by the president, a fixed-term contract is signed with the citizen.
The age limit for public service is 65. Civil servants who fill the positions appointed and dismissed by the President are not subject to the limitation of reaching the age of 70 in the extension of their civil service terms.
Amendments to the Federal Law “On Security” were also adopted. Now the President of the Russian Federation has the power to protect the citizens of the country from the decisions of international bodies contrary to Russian laws or interests.