Putin signed a law on imprisonment up to 12 years for illegal export of weapons to foreigners

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that provides for criminal liability of up to 12 years in prison for the illegal export or transfer of weapons or military equipment to a foreigner. Document published on Saturday, March 18, on the Internet portal of legal information.

Changes are made to Article 189 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The law establishes increased penalties for the transfer, smuggling, export of weapons of mass destruction, as well as their means of delivery and items that can be used in the creation of weapons of mass destruction.

For illegal export or transfer to a foreigner of weapons or military equipment, technologies or goods will be punished with imprisonment for a term of 3 to 7 years, as well as a fine of 1 million rubles. If a crime is committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons or by a person using his official position, then imprisonment for a term of 5 to 10 years is threatened, as well as a fine of up to 1 million rubles.

If the crime is committed by an organized group, the punishment includes imprisonment for a term of 7 to 12 years, as well as a fine of 1 million rubles.

State Duma Committee on State Construction and Legislation in early February approved the project on a colony of up to 12 years for illegal export of weapons to foreigners. The document was adopted by the State Duma on March 14, and the next day it was approved by the Federation Council.