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Russian Parliament Passes Controversial Security Bill

July 16, 2010

The Russian lower house of parliament has passed a controversial bill expanding the powers of Russia's main intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB).

The bill would allow the FSB to issue official warnings to individuals whose actions are deemed to be creating the conditions for crime.

Individuals deemed to have hindered an FSB employee in his work can also be fined or held in detention for up to 15 days.

Officially the law is supposed to help the fight against terror and extremist tendencies.

But lawyers, civil rights activists and members of the opposition have strongly criticized it saying it harks back to Soviet times and could be used to intimidate government opponents and stifle protests.

A total of 354 deputies backed the bill in the State Duma vote today, and 96 voted against.

The proposed legislation now goes to the Federation Council, the upper house of parliament. In an open letter published today, critics urged the chamber not to approve it.

President Dmitry Medvedev has defended the bill, saying it was introduced at his initiative.

compiled from agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Parliament_Passes_Controversial_Security_Bill/2101709.html

Copyright (c) 2010. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.