The amendments introduce liability of up to life imprisonment.
State Duma deputies unanimously adopted a law that strengthens criminal liability for sabotage activities.
According to the adopted amendments, the age of criminal liability for sabotage is reduced to 14 years. The statute of limitations for all sabotage-related crimes is abolished, and those accused cannot be sentenced to probation. Their right to parole will be restricted.
The amendments also introduce liability of up to life imprisonment for enticing minors into sabotage activities and involving minors in terrorist activities.
The human rights project "First Department" notes that currently in Russia, more than 500 people are being prosecuted for sabotage and arson of military enlistment offices, and often the provocateurs are employees of the FSB.
The law will come into effect after being approved by the Federation Council and signed by the president.
Irina Yarovaya, Deputy Chairwoman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the VII and VIII convocations since October 5, 2016: "970 acts of sabotage have been committed on the territory of our country. And 15% of minors are involved in this criminal activity. What is the bait? The absence of responsibility."
Here is a typical story reported by the "Mediazona" website.
In the Arkhangelsk region, two teenagers were detained in a case of sabotage on the Northern Railway. They were charged with sabotage committed by a group of individuals by prior agreement. According to the investigation, on August 4, a representative of the Ukrainian special services contacted one of the teenagers born in 2009. He offered money to damage the railway infrastructure. The young man agreed and involved a peer in this. Together, they set fire to relay cabinets at the "Konosha-1" station. One of the detainees said that initially the teenagers had no money for gasoline, and the funds were transferred to their card by a "curator."
The teenager mentioned in the report is either just 16 years old or was almost 16 as of August. The exact date of birth will determine the possibility of holding him criminally liable (the same applies to his accomplice). The changes recently made to Article 20 of the Criminal Code will allow for the prosecution of minors aged 14 and older under "sabotage articles." This threshold has already been established for the offenses of "terrorist act" and "intentional destruction or damage to property" under aggravating circumstances (Article 167 of the Criminal Code).
