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Police detain seven people near Federation Council building ahead of anti-Magnitsky bill review

Two pickets supported the bill, and two were opposed

MOSCOW, December 26 (Itar-Tass) — Police have detained seven people near the building of the Federation Council which is to review the anti-Magnitsky bill on Wednesday. Two pickets supported the bill, and two were opposed. Police detained the protesters who did not observe the 50-meter distance between the pickets. Security was tightened around the upper house of the Russian parliament.

On Tuesday, the FC committee for constitutional legislation recommended the house to approve the bill retaliating for the "Magnitsky Act," which envisions a ban for U.S. citizens to adopt Russian orphans.

"All the Committee members /present at the session/ voted to support the bill," chairman of the committee Andrei Klishas told reporters. He underlined that as head of the committee he was not wondering if Russia's new legislation was "a symmetrical or asymmetrical response to "the Magnitsky Act." My task - in issuing the conclusion on behalf of the committee -- is to analyze legislation for conformity to the Russian Constitution, Russian legislation and Russia's international commitments. It conforms to them," Klishas stated.

In case the FC approves the bill, it will become effective from January 1, 2013, along with one of its provisions to ban the adoption of Russian orphans by U.S. citizens.

On December 21, the State Duma lower house of the Russian parliament approved the 3rd, final reading of the bill on measures of influence on the persons involved in violations of the basic human rights and freedoms, and the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens, which was Russia’s response to the U.S. "Magnitsky Act."

Terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

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