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Russian parliament approves life sentence for repeat pedophiles

Currently, pedophiles can be sentenced to life only if they have a criminal record and the victim is under 14 years of age

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. The lower chamber of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, has approved in the first reading a bill introducing life sentence for previously convicted pedophiles and for those who committed child sex offenses for the first time, but against two or more victims.

The bill envisages the maximum punishment for repeated sexual offenses committed against people aged below 18. Life sentence will also be envisaged for those without previous criminal record, if they committed such crimes "against two or more individuals" or if "the above-mentioned crime was related to another serious or grave crime."

Currently, pedophiles can be sentenced to life only if they have a criminal record and the victim is under 14 years of age.

The Russian Supreme Court had no objections to the bill, initiated by lawmakers of the United Russia party. The government also supported it.

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Shoigu talks about ties with NATO, attacks on Zaporozhye NPP as he attends SCO meeting

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Iran calls on BRICS states to facilitate ceasefire in Gaza Strip

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Kremlin unconcerned by European Parliament’s resolution on Russian election

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Kremlin spokesman describes European Parliament as 'Russophobic machine'

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Russia warns US, NATO against harming its security — diplomat

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US government prepares to sign $6-bln contract for arms deliveries to Ukraine — Politico

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US nukes in Poland to become target for Russia should confrontation with NATO occur — MFA

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Bank of Russia keeps key rate at 16% per annum again

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French neo-Nazi ringleader liquidated near Avdeyevka — sources

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Russian, Chinese militaries interacting stabilizes world processes — top defense official

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Russia appreciates Bolivia’s push to defend sovereignty, Lavrov says

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Crocus City Hall attack funded using cryptocurrency, Russian finance watchdog says

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West bends sanctions rules when it suits them — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that, "according to some parameters, companies in Europe and other regions can hardly maintain their competitiveness if they completely abandon our products"

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Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

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China, US free to have their own friends, partners — President Xi

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Negative trends still on rise in US-China relations — top Chinese diplomat

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NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

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Cosmonauts complete spacewalk two hours ahead of schedule

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SCO should unite against foreign attempts to trigger revolutions — Shoigu

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Promotion of Russian brands gives good return — Putin

Comprehensive mechanisms require to be worked out, the head of state noted, responding to a proposal to add new tools to support of congress and exhibition activities

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China vows decisive response to US move to deploy intermediate missiles in Asia-Pacific

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Transfer of US ATACMS missiles to Ukraine cannot be justified — Russian ambassador

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Moscow Zoo gifts animals to North Korea — news agency

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All-Belarusian People's Assembly adopts new military doctrine, security concept

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Ukrainian opposition demands parliament speaker's resignation over pro-Hitler remarks

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European Parliament urges EU states to regard Russian presidential vote as illegitimate

The resolution passed in a 493-11 vote, with 18 abstentions