Members of the National Guard — a force set to be established by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin — will be allowed to open fire on sight and to detain offenders, the Interfax news agency reported Wednesday, citing the draft law sent to the State Duma.
"An employee of the National Guard troops has the right to use physical force, special instruments or firearms without warning" in case of an imminent threat to the lives of the Russian citizens, the bill reads.
The guards will be also provided with a right to enter homes in order to detain suspects and to check documents and vehicles.
In these cases, according to the bill's text, the guard will be obliged to explain to the detainee a number of his rights, including the right to legal assistance, Interfax reported.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
