The President signed the "anti-terrorism" law

On May 5, 2014, the president approved a law toughening punishment for terrorist activities, which is part of the "anti-terrorist" package.

On May 5, 2014, the President signed the law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation (In Part of Improving Counterterrorism)".

Recall that the law once again tightens the punishment for terrorist activities and related crimes. An amendment has been made that increases the punishment under Art. 212 of the Criminal Code (mass riots) from 4-10 to 8-15 years in prison, and its wording has been changed. The current text of the article is being expanded, punishment will follow not only for organizing, but also for preparing mass riots, and the list of means used in mass riots ("use of firearms, explosives or explosive devices") is supplemented with the phrase "substances and objects that pose a danger to those around ." Art. 212 of the Criminal Code is supplemented by part 4, which provides for punishment for " the acquisition of knowledge, practical skills and abilities in the course of physical and psychological training " for organizing mass riots. In addition, additions have been made to Art. 282.1 (organization of an extremist community) and 282.2 (organization of the activities of an extremist organization), which now provide for liability (from one to six years in prison) for " inducement, recruitment or other involvement of a person "in the work of an extremist organization. At the same time, FSB officers received the right to personal search and check of documents only of citizens suspected of committing crimes and offenses under the jurisdiction of the FSB.

Amendments were made to the Code of Criminal Procedure, changing the jurisdiction of a number of cases. The Moscow District Military Court and the North Caucasus District Military Court have jurisdiction over criminal cases on crimes under Art. 205, 205.1, 205.2, 205.3, 205.4, 205.5, 206, part 4 of Art. 211 of the Criminal Code; st.st. 277, 278, 279 and 360 of the Criminal Code, if their commission is associated with the implementation of terrorist activities; cases of crimes, when sentencing for which an aggravating circumstance, provided for in paragraph "r" h. 1 Article. 63 of the Criminal Code. At the same time, criminal cases on crimes under Art. 205, 205.1, 205.2, 205.3, 205.4, 205.5, 206, part 4 of Art. 211, part 1 of Art. 212, art. 275, 276, 278, 279, part 2, 3 art. 281 of the Criminal Code in district military courts should be considered by a panel of three judges of the federal court of general jurisdiction, the option with one judge and a jury is not provided.

In 2015, the list of courts considering cases of terrorist activity was expanded to include the Privolzhsky District Military Court, and in 2017 it should be replenished by the Far Eastern District Military Court.

The wording of the "anti-terrorist" law, from our point of view, allows for a broad interpretation and, accordingly, may lead to unlawful prosecution.

Sources

• Putin toughens responsibility for terrorism and extremism // Interfax. 2014. May 5.