Russian Duma Approves Immunity for Ex-PresidentsThe lower house of parliament on Wednesday gave initial approval to a bill offering former presidents immunity from prosecution for criminal actions during their tenure, despite objections that it gives presidents free rein to violate the law.The bill, proposed by the government, parallels the main provisions of a decree signed shortly after the resignation of Boris Yeltsin by his successor Vladimir Putin. The State Duma, the lower house of parliament, gave the bill 282-130 approval on the first of its required three readings. Along with stating that a former president is immune from prosecution for actions during his term, the bill also says the former president's offices cannot be searched and his documents cannot be perused. Communist legislator Anatoly Lukyanov said the measure violates the Russian Constitution that says that all citizens are equal before the law. Under the bill approved Wednesday, a former president's family members do not share immunity from prosecution. |
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