Upper house of Russian parliament passes tougher punishments for treason, terrorism

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The upper house of the Russian parliament passed legislation on Wednesday to toughen punishments for offenses of high treason and terrorism.

The bill passed by Russia's Federation Council would increase the punishment for high treason from 20 years in prison to a life sentence.

The maximum sentence for terrorism would also be increased from 15 years in prison to 20 for carrying out a terrorist attack within the country, and life in prison for international terrorism.

The minimum penalty for recruitment or involvement in terrorist crimes would also be increased from five to seven years in prison, and to 12 years for complicity.

The punishment for crimes involving "organizing or taking part in a terrorist community" would also be strengthened, as those convicted would face 10-15 years in prison instead of the previous five to 10.