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Russian MPs say National Guard creation no threat to democracy

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the creation of the National Guard in reorganization of the Interior Ministry troops at a meeting held on April 5

© Evgeniy Kurskov/TASS, archive

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Kremlin: National Guard likely to be involved in suppression of unauthorized mass actions

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. A Just Russia faction is set to back a package of draft laws on creating the National Guard during the first reading in the lower house of parliament on Wednesday, rejecting the claims that the new internal security corps could pose a threat to democracy.

"The National Guard gets no new repressive powers compared with the law on police and internal forces," first deputy head of the Duma faction of the party Mikhail Yemelyanov said, adding that all talks that this is a new repressive institution are an attempt to whip up tensions.

The National Guard, also known as Rosgvardia, will get no new powers on using special means and weapons, he said. "That’s why if someone says that this is a threat to democracy in Russia then this is wrong."

"The faction of A Just Russia will vote for this draft law," the politician stressed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the creation of the National Guard in reorganization of the Interior Ministry troops at a meeting held on April 5. Its key function is control of weapons turnover and the fight against terrorism and organized crime, Putin said.

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