Putin meets with deputy prime minister Alexander Novak at the
Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on December 22, 2020.
Mikhail KLIMENTYEV / SPUTNIK / AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday
signed legislation that will grant former presidents lifetime
immunity once they leave office.
The bill, which was published online Tuesday, gives former
presidents and their families immunity from prosecution for crimes
committed during their lifetime.
They will also be exempt from questioning by police or
investigators, as well as searches or arrests.
The legislation was part of constitutional amendments that were
approved this summer in a nationwide vote that allow Putin,
68, to remain president until 2036.
Prior to the bill becoming law, former presidents were immune
from prosecution only for crimes committed while in office.
READ ALSO: Russia To Impose Travel Bans On EU
Officials Over Navalny
Now a former president can still be stripped of immunity if
accused of treason or other grave crimes and the charges are
confirmed by the Supreme and Constitutional courts.
But the legislation Putin signed on Tuesday will
additionally grant former presidents a lifetime seat in the
Federation Council or senate, a position that assures immunity from
prosecution upon leaving the presidency.
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Last month the pending bills sparked rumours that the longtime
Russian leader is planning to step down because of poor health — a
claim the Kremlin denied.
On Tuesday the lower house State Duma passed legislation making
information about employees of Russia’s judicial system, law
enforcement and regulatory and military bodies confidential.
The bill now requires Putin’s signature to become law, a
step that is considered a formality.
It comes a day after opposition figure Alexei Navalny said he
telephoned an alleged security agent and tricked him into admitting
the Federal Security Service (FSB) tried to kill him in August by
poisoning.
Navalny said he had gained access to the security agent’s phone
number from leaked logs and travel records.
The Kremlin critic later published the agent’s alleged address
and phone number, actions that would become illegal under the newly
proposed legislation.
AFP
Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2020/12/23/putin-signs-bill-giving-russian-presidents-lifetime-immunity/