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Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has secured permanent protection against prosecution. This stems from a new immunity law that applies to former Russian heads of state.
Consequently, Putin’s family does not have to wait for investigations after his resignation from the presidency. Until now, the law of inviolability applied to all acts during the mandate. From now on it is also about possible criminal offenses that are known after the start. The independent portal meduza.io wrote that former president Dmitry Medvedev was protected from prosecution.
The new law also foresees greater obstacles to the withdrawal of immunity and a complicated procedure. According to the information, withdrawal is only possible if there is a charge of high treason or in the case of a serious crime. The State Duma would have to initiate such a procedure. Therefore, the final decision rests with the Federation Council.
Duma deputy Yuri Sinelschtschikow of the Communist Party told Vedomosti newspaper on the basis of the new law: “In the future, a former president must be prevented from being brought to justice. What happens if the opposition comes to power? It is for this reason that such laws are passed. “
Putin, 68, had only gained far-reaching powers with a constitutional amendment in the summer. In theory, he can stay in office until 2036. The Kremlin chief has left open until now whether he will run again in the 2024 elections.
Another controversial law was passed
Parliamentarians in the lower house in Moscow also passed another controversial law on Tuesday that would grant confidentiality status to data on judicial, police, military and security officials. Before the law takes effect, Putin has yet to sign it; however, this step is considered a formality.
The law was adopted by parliament a day after a recording of a telephone conversation between Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and an agent of the Russian national secret service FSB was released. In it, Navalny obtained precise details from the agent about the course of the poisoning attack against him in August. Navalny pretended to be an assistant to the head of the National Security Council during the phone call. After the phone call, Navalny released the contact details of the FSB agent. This would be illegal after the new law came into force.
