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Russia’s upper house endorses life sentence for treason, tougher penalties for terrorism

Among other things, the document introduces life imprisonment for high treason (compared to the current maximum penalty of 20 years)

MOSCOW, April 26. /TASS/. Russia’s Federation Council (the upper house of parliament) approved a law on Wednesday which introduces life imprisonment for high treason and increases penalties for terrorism.

The initiative, which was first submitted by the government to the State Duma (the lower house of parliament) in November 2022, contains a number of amendments to the Russian Criminal Code that tighten penalties for terrorism-related crimes and offenses against the constitutional order and state security.

Among other things, the document introduces life imprisonment for high treason (compared to the current maximum penalty of 20 years). The maximum penalty for terrorist attacks has been increased from 15 to 20 years in prison. The law also increases the minimum sentence for recruiting and involving people into terrorist crimes from five to seven years. Abetting terrorism will be punishable with 12 years behind bars (compared to ten years currently).

Those convicted of organizing a terrorist network and taking part in its activities will be punished with ten to 15 years in prison (compared to the current punishment of five to ten years).

Punishment for actions aimed at damaging transport and life support facilities has been increased from 15 to up to 20 years in prison.

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Russia's domestic policy

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