Russia: Putin sends draft text of amnesty bill to State Duma
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 9 December 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Putin sends draft text of amnesty bill to State Duma, 9 December 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52e659bb12.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 09, 2013
By RFE/RL
The Kremlin's press service says Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent the draft text of an amnesty bill to the State Duma.
Putin has said the amnesty would not apply to those convicted of severe or violent crimes.
He said last week the amnesty should underscore the government's "humanism" but should not be interpreted as meaning criminals can commit crimes and "expect forgiveness from the state tomorrow."
Earlier media reports said the amnesty could mean the release of Greenpeace activists and jailed members of the punk performance art group Pussy Riot.
But Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev indicated last week that Pussy Riot members and former tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky will not be included.
Medvedev said Russians oppose releasing those "who committed violent crimes... crimes against society, including hooliganism," or "state crimes [and] major embezzlement."
With reporting by Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website