Vladimir Putin signs law that will offer former Russian presidents lifelong immunity
Vladimir Putin signs law that will offer former Russian presidents lifelong immunity
Vladimir Putin signed a law on Tuesday that offers lifelong immunity to former presidents, including for acts carried out before or after their term of office
A litigant like any other? Not in Russia. Vladimir Putin signed a law on Tuesday that will offer former Russian presidents lifelong immunity, not just for acts carried out in the line of duty.
The new text states that a former Russian president "cannot be prosecuted criminally or administratively." He cannot, moreover, be arrested by the police, subjected to questioning or searched.
The law expands immunity
The previous version of the text already offered immunity to former Russian presidents, but specified that it applied only to actions carried out during their time in power.
The new law is part of constitutional amendments approved this summer in a national vote that also gave President Putin the chance to remain in power until 2036.
He may be deprived of his immunity under certain conditions
A former Russian president may still be deprived of his or her immunity in the case of charges of "high treason or other serious crimes", confirmed by the Supreme and Constitutional Courts, and then validated by two-thirds of the members of the lower and upper houses of Parliament. The new text also indicates that former presidents will have a seat in the upper house of Parliament, which also offers them immunity.
Relatives also protected?
These amendments, which deal "with the guarantees of a President of the Russian Federation no longer performing his duties, and members of his family", do not clearly state that relatives of former heads of state will also enjoy the same protection.
Last month, the changes fueled rumours that Vladimir Putin may leave for health reasons, reports denied by the Kremlin.
Source:- Flash News and News Agencies