MOSCOW, February 26. /TASS/. One in two respondents (49%) supports the reintroduction of the death penalty, the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center said, publishing the results of the poll conducted on February 14 among 1,600 adult Russians.

"Of all the possible options, that is maintaining the status quo, rejecting the death penalty, and lifting the moratorium on it, one in two Russians polled supports the last option. Half as many Russians support maintaining the moratorium as lifting it, while the idea of a complete rejection of the death penalty is the least popular in Russian society," the statement said.

A total of 73% of respondents state that the issue of the death penalty remains important. Over the past 15 years, Russians have taken a clear position on the issue: the percentage of those who consider the death penalty "very important" has increased from 28% to 36%.

Russian Constitutional Court Chairman Valery Zorkin said earlier that the death penalty could be reintroduced in Russia only if a new constitution was adopted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the end of 2024 that the authorities would not introduce the death penalty even under the conditions of the special military operation, despite the fact that "a significant number of citizens and political figures are constantly raising this issue." The head of state pointed out that, on the contrary, the Russian authorities are taking a number of decisions to enhance the humanity of justice.