This was announced by State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, whose words were quoted by the press service of the agency. The bill was introduced by 419 deputies, including the speaker and leaders of all political factions. According to Volodin, such a consolidated position indicates a common understanding of the need to strengthen the country's protection against sabotage and terrorist threats.
The reason for the amendments was the increase in the number of sabotage crimes. The speaker cited statistics showing that while 13 people were convicted under Article 281 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation between 2019 and 2023, 48 people were convicted in 2024 alone. Volodin stressed that ensuring the security of citizens and the state in the context of a special military operation requires additional measures.
According to the chairman of the State Duma, the involvement of minors in sabotage activities is a cause for particular concern. He noted that teenagers often do not realize the consequences of their actions and become involved in crimes in pursuit of easy money, in the form of games, as well as through deception and blackmail. The speaker believes that everything must be done to protect children from this.
The initiative proposes to supplement Articles 205.1 (“Facilitation of terrorist activity”) and 281.1 (“Facilitation of sabotage activity”) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation with a new qualifying feature with increased responsibility. One of the key proposals is the introduction of punishment up to life imprisonment for inciting a minor to participate in terrorist or sabotage activities.
In addition, it is proposed to set the age of criminal responsibility for sabotage crimes at 14 years. This will bring it into line with responsibility for terrorism and other particularly serious crimes, including murder. The draft also provides for increased liability for sabotage by analogy with terrorism: the abolition of statutes of limitations, a ban on suspended sentences for participation in a sabotage community, and a ban on mitigating punishment below the penalty provided for in the article.
Previously, participants in the Special Military Operation with contracts for 2022-2023 were granted veteran status.