Russia discusses immunity laws for former presidents, including Putin

The Duma Institute considers the ‘immunity’ laws proposed by President Putin so that people like him do not take criminal responsibility after leaving office.

The Duma Institute, the Russian parliament, is discussing two bills that would grant exemptions to former presidents, prompting speculation that Vladimir Putin “could retire early.”

According to the Guardian newspaper correspondent Andrew Roth in Moscow on November 5, 2020, the introduction of a second law in a week “gets people immediately talking about the possibility of Putin preparing for early retirement.”

Several other British and American newspapers spoke about the health of the 68-year-old President Putin, but sources in Russia and BBC News did not confirm it, until the morning of November 6 in London.

According to Mr. Roth, there are two bills that are submitted to the Duma.

A bill grants former Russian presidents permanent exemption from criminal responsibility “for every criminal act committed in life.”

The second bill, proposed by Putin himself, allows the former president (himself) to have permanent seats in the Federal Council, the equivalent of the upper house in other countries, and along with that case is an immunity for members of the parliament.

This raises the question of whether Putin is preparing for an important post, even if he is still president at some point in the future.

Immediately, European newspapers reiterated the Russian policy move in 2000 to allow former President Boris Yeltsin, who had just resigned, to grant permanent immunity.

Successful President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to “protect” Mr. Yeltsin from facing a criminal investigation amid accusations by Mr. Yeltsin and his family in the so-called “Swiss Credit Card” case.

This decree prohibits the Russian police and investigative agencies from prosecuting and searching the homes of any former Russian president.

In 2001, the Duma passed the law “presidential immunity”, which applies to all former presidents of the Russian Federation.

According to British newspapers, so far only two people who have enjoyed immunity are Dmitry Medvedev, president for the period 2008-2012, and Putin.

Trials to this day still believe that Putin was running for the 2024 elections and already had in hand to amend the constitutional amendments so that he could assume the presidency until 2036, when he was 84 years old.