Lawmakers from the A Just Russia party have introduced a bill to the State Duma that would allow the death penalty for corruption-related crimes deemed to undermine Russia’s national security and defense capabilities, RTVI reported, citing party leader Sergey Mironov.
According to Mironov, current Russian law distinguishes between ordinary corruption and treason but does not establish a separate offense for corrupt acts by officials that directly threaten the country’s security.
“We believe such crimes should be treated the same as espionage and treason because they also constitute a betrayal of national interests,” Mironov said.
New criminal offense proposed
The draft law would add a new article to Russia’s Criminal Code establishing criminal liability for corrupt activity that damages the country’s defense capability and the security of its citizens.
The proposed legislation would authorize penalties of up to and including the death penalty for those convicted under the new provision.
Read also: Russia proposes Nuremberg-style trial for Ukrainian fighters.
Mironov argued that embezzlement involving the construction of defensive infrastructure, military facilities, weapons and ammunition production, and military procurement should be classified as treason rather than ordinary corruption.
Citing international practice
The bill’s authors argue that the proposal is consistent with international practice. As noted in their explanatory memo, capital punishment for major corruption offenses exists in China, Vietnam and Thailand. The document also claims that China’s use of public executions has proven effective as a deterrent to corruption.
Russia has maintained a moratorium on the death penalty since April 1997. Although capital punishment remains on the books in the country’s Criminal Code, it has not been carried out in practice since the moratorium took effect.
