Putin Aware of Criticism Over Proposed Russian Anti-Terror Bills - Kremlin

The fate of Russia's anti-terrorist legislation draft will be decided by President Vladimir Putin, who is aware of the criticism it has received, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The package of amendments, passed by Russia's lower house and due to be voted on later on Wednesday in the upper house, creates additional mechanisms to counter-terrorism threats.

"We are aware of the specific remarks made by mobile operators and social activists, and other public organizations, they are now being considered. A decision will be made by the president once he has received [the bill] for signing… The president has the right to sign or not to sign [the bill]," Peskov told reporters.

In accordance with the proposed legislation, convicted terrorists can be sentenced to life in prison. Involvement in terror attacks or their financing can be punished by up to 15 years in prison.

The bill restricts the movement of those suspected in being engaged in terrorism or extremism and lowers the age threshold for terrorism-related crimes to 14 years.

It also obliges mobile operators to store call records and messages for seven years.

When introducing the draft package of amendments to the parliament, lawmaker Irina Yarovaya said that the aim of the bill was to ensure Russian citizens were better protected and not to restrict their rights and freedoms.