Terrorists face more severe punishment

At its plenary session on May 27, the State Duma will consider amendments to the Criminal Code that increase the penalty for terrorism.

The draft law provides for strengthening the sanctions of Article 205 of the Criminal Code and increasing prison terms given under section 1 of the article from 8 years to 12 years, the terms given under section 2 from 10 years to 20 years, and the terms given under section 3, for terrorism with aggravating circumstances, from 15 years to 20 years or life imprisonment.

Amendments are also proposed to Article 57 of the Criminal Code concerning life imprisonment. Under the draft law, life imprisonment will be used as a punishment for especially grave crimes encroaching upon a person's life or public safety.

The State Duma adopted this draft law in the first reading on February 11, 2004.