President Vladimir Putin approved the amendments to the law "On Countering Extremist Activity."
On July 28, 2006, president Vladimir Putin approved the amendments to the law "On Countering Extremist Activity." The amendments have raised great concern within civil society in Russia, but the criticism seems not to have been taken into consideration as the bill moved quickly through the State Duma (lower chamber of parliament): the first, second, and third readings were held on June 28, July 7, and July 8, respectively.