Federation Council approves life imprisonment for treason – Kommersant

The Federation Council approved a law providing for life imprisonment for high treason. Now the maximum punishment is up to 20 years in prison. 156 senators voted in support of the initiative, one voted against.

Now, under the criminal article on treason (Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), the most severe punishment will be life imprisonment. For committing an act of international terrorism (Article 361 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), it will be possible to receive a prison term of 12 years up to life imprisonment (now the minimum punishment is 10 years in prison).

In addition, those accused of a terrorist attack (Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) can be sentenced to 20 years in prison instead of 15. The amendments also provide for an increase in the minimum liability for recruiting or engaging in terrorism from five to seven years in prison. Under the article on the organization of a terrorist society and participation in it (Article 205.4 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), a term of 10 to 15 years can be threatened (now from five to 10 years).

Amendments on life imprisonment for treason and international terrorism developed the State Duma commission to investigate the facts of interference in internal affairs and the committee on security and combating corruption. State Duma approved law in the third reading April 18.

Laura Keffer