MOSCOW, December 11. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia's upcoming criminal justice amnesty will not impact the criminal situation in the country, a lawmaker said in comments on public concerns.

The document was drafted by President Vladimir Putin for the 20th anniversary of the Russian Constitution.

"The document (resolution on amnesty), if we pass it — we should do so by the end of this year — will not influence the criminal situation; it won't hurt our citizens," chairman of the committee on legislation under the State Duma lower house of Russia's parliament Pavel Krasheninnkov assured at the session of the house on Wednesday.

"An amnesty is exclusive competence of the State Duma; it is good that the document was submitted ahead of the 20th anniversary of the Constitution," Krasheninnikov said. "Only State Duma lawmakers can pass this document, in accordance with Article 103 of the Constitution. After the publication, it comes into force."

The second principle concerning any amnesty is that this document, unlike other legal acts, can only be retroactive," the lawmaker went on. "It only covers the offences committed before the publication of the concrete resolutions."

The document applies not only to the convicted persons but also to those who are on trial or under investigation.

Amnesty and pardoning is not the same thing, he noted. "The latter concerns an individual who has the right to lodge a plea."

Krasheninnikov said the house would review all documents related to amnesty regardless of who submitted them and that hopefully, one of these documents would be passed.