Amendments reinstating confiscation and trials in absentia were adopted in the first reading

On April 19, 2006, the State Duma of the Russian Federation approved in the first reading the amendments prepared in connection with the adoption of the laws "On Combating Terrorism" and "On Ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism." 419 deputies voted in favor, 5 against and 2 abstained.

During the discussion of the bill, the deputies also expressed critical remarks. Thus, Viktor Ilyukhin (KPRF) stated that the draft law classifies what is necessary and what is not necessary as terrorism and proposed to regulate the activities of the media only in the zone of the counter-terrorist operation. Alexander Khinshtein (United Russia) proposed to define the rule on confiscation more clearly, because with such vague wording, even those who are not associated with terrorism can fall under it. Independent MP Anatoly Yermolin noted the restriction of constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens and the expansion of the powers of the FSB.

The deputies also doubted the legitimacy of the terrorists' trial in absentia, Tamara Shkel, a Rossiyskaya Gazeta correspondent, notes. In addition, Kulikov reassured critics that if the person does return, the court may re-consider his case with the participation of all parties .

Sources

• Shkel T. ...and confiscate // Russian newspaper. 2006. April 20.