Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed into law a controversial bill on Thursday, giving the Federal Security Service (FSB) expanded powers hearkening back to the Soviet-era, say critics.
The new law allows the FSB to officially issue “warnings” to citizens or organizations that are suspected of preparing for a crime. It says those who do not cooperate with the FSB will have to bear responsibility for it, but no sanctions or fines specified.
Human rights groups have criticized the law, saying it would make it possible for the government to use Soviet-era methods to curb dissidents.
“In terms of aspects of the judicial system, Russian lawmakers have returned to the Soviet way,” wrote Russian human rights organization Memorial in a statement.
Memorial says that the rights of the FSB have long gone beyond the limit of what could be rationally seen as necessary.
Russian lawmakers responded to the protests by removing a paragraph from the bill that would have allowed the FSB to call people at their offices to issue warnings.
Medvedev who initiated the bill has said that it will help decrease crime.
“Every country has a right to fine-tune its legislation, including with respect to special services,” said Medvedev according to AFP. “And what is happening today, I would like you to know that, has been done on my direct instructions.”
The new law allows the FSB to officially issue “warnings” to citizens or organizations that are suspected of preparing for a crime. It says those who do not cooperate with the FSB will have to bear responsibility for it, but no sanctions or fines specified.
Human rights groups have criticized the law, saying it would make it possible for the government to use Soviet-era methods to curb dissidents.
“In terms of aspects of the judicial system, Russian lawmakers have returned to the Soviet way,” wrote Russian human rights organization Memorial in a statement.
Memorial says that the rights of the FSB have long gone beyond the limit of what could be rationally seen as necessary.
Russian lawmakers responded to the protests by removing a paragraph from the bill that would have allowed the FSB to call people at their offices to issue warnings.
Medvedev who initiated the bill has said that it will help decrease crime.
“Every country has a right to fine-tune its legislation, including with respect to special services,” said Medvedev according to AFP. “And what is happening today, I would like you to know that, has been done on my direct instructions.”
