MOSCOW, July 07. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia is discussing an option of creating private military companies (PMC), the Izvestia daily says.

A law to this effect is being prepared. The companies’ activity will be controlled by the Defense Ministry, the daily writes.

Deputies of the Russian State Duma, lower house, Defense Committee have initiated the law. Experts are studying measures to work out the law, the daily says.

Russian private military companies are planning to be used in emergency situations, to ensure security of high state facilities abroad and convoy cargoes. The companies will be entitled to use arms, including automatic weapons, the daily says.

Several high-ranking military officials have taken part in preparing the law.

In the meantime, the Defense Ministry’s press service told the daily that it had no information on preparing such draft law.