Moscow:
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed legislation that will grant former presidents lifetime immunity after they leave workplace.
The bill, which was published on the web Tuesday, provides former presidents and their households immunity from prosecution for crimes committed for the duration of their lifetime.
They will also be exempt from questioning by police or investigators, as nicely as searches or arrests.
The legislation was portion of constitutional amendments that have been authorized this summer time in a nationwide vote that let Putin, 68, to stay president till 2036.
Prior to the bill becoming law, former presidents have been immune from prosecution only for crimes committed though in workplace.
Now a former president can nevertheless be stripped of immunity if accused of treason or other grave crimes and the charges are confirmed by the Supreme and Constitutional courts.
But the legislation Putin signed on Tuesday will also grant former presidents a lifetime seat in the Federation Council or senate, a position that assures immunity from prosecution upon leaving the presidency.
Last month the pending bills sparked rumours that the longtime Russian leader is preparing to step down simply because of poor wellness — a claim the Kremlin denied.
On Tuesday the reduce property State Duma passed legislation generating info about workers of Russia’s judicial technique, law enforcement and regulatory and military bodies confidential.
The bill now calls for Putin’s signature to turn into law, a step that is deemed a formality.
It comes a day immediately after opposition figure Alexei Navalny stated he telephoned an alleged safety agent and tricked him into admitting the Federal Security Service (FSB) attempted to kill him in August by poisoning.
Navalny stated he had gained access to the safety agent’s telephone quantity from leaked logs and travel records.
The Kremlin critic later published the agent’s alleged address and telephone quantity, actions that would turn into illegal below the newly proposed legislation.
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