27 Aug 2018 17:49

Duma to continue work on bill making enforcing anti-Russian sanctions a crime this fall

MOSCOW. Aug 27 (Interfax) - The State Duma will again consider a bill imposing criminal liability for enforcing anti-Russian sanctions during its autumn session.

"Work on the bill introducing liability for enforcing anti-Russian sanctions in Russia will be continued during the autumn session," the Duma said in a statement on its website.

Another package of U.S. sanctions against Russia, which the U.S. side links to the poisoning of the Skripals in March, takes effect today.

The bill was proposed by Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and the leaders of the four Duma factions. Its first reading passed in May.

Amendments to the Criminal Code would impose criminal liability of up to four years in prison for complying with sanctions on Russia or helping introduce such sanctions.