Russian State Duma passes amnesty bill in first reading
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 17 December 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russian State Duma passes amnesty bill in first reading, 17 December 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52e65a08b.html [accessed 21 May 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 17, 2013
As the bill is worded now, the amnesty would not apply to members of a Greenpeace ship (pictured) who face trial after a protest against Russian oil drilling in the Arctic.
Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament, has passed an amnesty bill submitted by President Vladimir Putin in a first reading.
If approved, the amnesty could see some high-profile figures freed from Russian prisons, including members of the female punk performance-art group Pussy Riot.
As the bill is worded now, the amnesty would not apply to former tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, opposition blogger Aleksei Navalny, or members of a Greenpeace ship who face trial after a protest against Russian oil drilling in the Arctic.
The bill must pass three readings. The second and third readings are expected to be conducted on December 18.
The amnesty bill does not require approval from the Federation Council, the upper house of parliament.
Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS, Interfax, and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
