Russian government commission supports Justice Ministry proposal to exempt pregnant women and single fathers from pre-trial detention

Russia’s government commission on legislative activity has endorsed a Justice Ministry proposal to limit the use of pre-trial detention for certain groups, RBC reported, citing a government source and the ministry’s press office.

Back in 2023, the Justice Ministry proposed limiting pre-trial detention for specific groups, including:

• Minors,
• Pregnant women,
• Women with young children,
• Men who are the sole caregivers of young children,
• Adoptive parents, guardians, or custodians of young children or children with disabilities.

Under the plan, pre-trial detention for these groups would only be applied in cases involving violent crimes or if a suspect has attempted to flee or violated previously imposed restrictions.

Lawmakers in the State Duma suggested further refining the proposal to consider not only the severity of the crime but also whether violence or threats of violence were involved.

The legislation addresses women with young children separately, stipulating that they may only be placed in pre-trial detention if charged with serious or particularly serious crimes. It also includes provisions to exempt individuals with severe illnesses, confirmed by medical documentation, from detention.

Introduced in June 2023, the bill proposes amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code. According to an explanatory note, the measures are intended to “humanize the law.” The State Duma passed the bill in its first reading in October 2023.