State Duma passes new bill on ‘sabotage’ in first reading, aims to increase maximal penalty to life in prison
The State Duma passed in the first reading a bill against “sabotage.” The draft legislation makes disruptive and terrorist activities classified in Russia as “sabotage” punishable by up to a life in prison.
The bill was submitted to the Russian parliament by 380 deputies, on December 8. It putative aim to “protect the country and its citizens from the threats of terrorism and sabotage,” by adding three new paragraphs to the Russian Criminal Code and its Article 281 (“Sabotage”). The new entries will be 281.1 (“Aiding sabotage”), 281.2 (“Training for the purposes of sabotage”), and 281.3 (“Organizing or participating in a sabotage association”).
Speaker of the Duma Vyacheslav Volodin has greeted the bill with enthusiasm:
Considering that the Russian Federation is conducting a special military operation, while at the same time admitting refugees and remaining open to entry by foreign nationals, adopting new legislation is a step of principal importance, necessary for the defense of our country.
“The penalty for sabotage will be maximally harsh,” Volodin assured.
The bill contains language about persuasion and recruitment of prospective saboteurs, sponsoring and training them, as well as organizing a disruptive association, all punishable by up to a life in prison. Participating in an organization that engages in sabotage will be punished by up to a 10-year sentence. “Aiding and abetting sabotage” will entail sentences of 10–20 years.
The current law only punishes sabotage with a life sentence if people are killed as a result of sabotage.
Follow Meduza in English on Twitter to stay up to date.