Russia allows trials for sabotage from age 14 and introduces life sentence for inciting minors
The State Duma (the lower house of the Russian parliament) has tightened criminal liability for sabotage. Under new amendments to the law, individuals can now be tried for sabotage offences from the age of 14 and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Source: Russian State Duma website
Quote from the State Duma press service: "The State Duma has unanimously adopted a law introducing life imprisonment for inciting children to engage in terrorist or sabotage activities."
Details: Under the new provisions, "premeditated sabotage- and terrorism-related crimes posing a particular danger to society" will carry criminal liability from the age of 14. Inciting a minor to engage in sabotage activities will be punishable by life imprisonment.
The amendments also abolish the statutes of limitation for all sabotage-related crimes, restrict the right to request early release (at least 75% of the sentence must be served), and prohibit suspended sentences for participation in a sabotage organisation.
The current penalty under Article 281 of Russia's Criminal Code (sabotage) is between ten years' and life imprisonment.
Background:
- Russia has systematically persecuted residents of occupied Ukrainian territories by accusing them of "sabotage," " treason" or "espionage".
- An investigation by Russian media outlet Vazhnye Istorii (Important Stories) found that since 2022, Russian-installed "courts" have handed down at least 190 sentences to residents of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts for alleged "treason", "espionage" or "confidential cooperation" with foreigners.
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