A package of “anti-terrorism” laws was adopted in the third reading

On April 22, 2014, the State Duma adopted in the third reading a package of bills aimed at combating terrorism.

On April 22, 2014, the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted in the third reading a package bills, consisting of bill No. 428889-6 "On Amendments into separate legislative acts of the Russian Federation (in part improvement of counter-terrorism)", draft law No. 428884-6 "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation for streamlining the exchange of information using information and telecommunication networks and draft law No. 428896-6 "On introducing amendments to certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation (in part tightening requirements for the transfer of electronic funds)". These the documents were submitted to the Duma by a group of deputies representing all factions.

349 deputies voted for the draft law on combating terrorism, 14 - against. Amendments to the laws on information and communications were supported by 340 deputies (49 – against), the third draft law (on the control of electronic payments) received support of 443 people (against three).

Recall that the first of them once again tightens punishment for terrorist activities and related crimes. So, amended to increase the punishment under Art. 212 of the Criminal Code (riots) from 4-10 to 8-15 years of imprisonment, and its wording is changing. Expanding the current text of the article, punishment will follow not only for the organization, but also for preparation of mass riots, and the list of means used in mass riots ("use of firearms, explosives or explosive devices"), it is proposed to supplement the phrase " substances and objects, representing a danger to others ". Article 212 of the Criminal Code, by design authors, will be supplemented by Part 4, which provides for punishment for " acquiring knowledge, practical skills and abilities during physical and psychological preparation "for the organization of riots. In addition In addition, additions to Art. 282.1 (organization of an extremist community) and 282.2 (organization of activities of an extremist organization), in who will be liable (from one year to six years imprisonment) for "with enticement, recruitment or other involvement of a person " in the work of an extremist organization. Together with In this case, the FSB officers will receive the right to personal search and verification of documents only citizens suspected of committing crimes and offenses under the jurisdiction FSB. Amendments will also be made to the Code of Criminal Procedure, changing the jurisdiction of a number of cases. The Moscow District Military Court and the North Caucasian District Military Court have jurisdiction over criminal cases involving crimes under the Articles on Terrorism and a number of others.

The second bill amends the laws about information and communication, aimed at strengthening state control over the Internet. Server owners are required to notify Roskomnadzor about the beginning of the activity, store data on all user actions in within six months after the end of their activities and provide them law enforcement agencies in cases provided for by law, in also comply with the requirements for hardware and software and hardware to facilitate operational-search activities (that is, apparently, the system network control SORM-2).

The law also legalizes the term "blogger" (to the site owner or pages on the Internet, access to which during the day is more than three thousands of users registered as a media outlet), who is required to disclose his real name, is vested with obligations duplicating the provisions of the law "On Mass Media" and be included in a special register.

According to the third bill, without identification or simplified identification, which is considered to be the presentation identity documents or copies thereof, payment card data and electronic signature, an individual can make payments, make purchases, replenish bank accounts, etc. for an amount not exceeding 15 thousand rubles, or the equivalent amount in foreign currency. It prohibits anonymous transfers of funds between individuals. The bill also provides the need for additional control over foreign funding of NGOs.

We repeat that these measures appear to us redundant. The wording of the "anti-terrorist" bill seem to us to lead to broad interpretations and, accordingly, to wrongful persecution. Amendments to laws about information and communication seem to us contradictory, discriminatory and aimed at restricting the freedoms of citizens (primarily freedom of speech). The tightening of control over electronic finance will not completely allow track financial flows, including cash. Concerning foreign funding of NGOs, it is now under absolute control states.

On the other hand, new levers of state control over the lives of citizens inevitably affect civil rights. In this case, under attack, obviously, the right to freedom of speech, privacy, economic activity. All these levers, of course, can be applied not only to potential terrorists, but also to suppress any objectionable political movements. A new blow will also be dealt to the victims of the abuse of power, wrongfully accused.

Sources

• Zelensky Michael. The State Duma adopted an "anti-terrorist package" of bills // Slon.ru. 2014. April 22.
• Draft Law No. 428896-6 On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation (in terms of tightening requirements for electronic money transfers) // Website of the State Duma of the Russian Federation. February 28, 2014
• Draft Law No. 428884-6 On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation on the Issues of Streamlining the Exchange of Information Using Information and Telecommunication Networks // Website of the State Duma of the Russian Federation. February 28, 2014
• Draft Law No. 428889-6 On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation (Regarding Improvement in Countering Terrorism) // Website of the State Duma of the Russian Federation. February 28, 2014