Russian President Vladimir Putin signs bill

Moscow, Ta. 23 December 2020, Wednesday

Russian President Vladimir Putin has gone above the law. Russia's constitution has been amended so that former Russian presidents do not face any court case even after leaving office. The law was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin himself.

The amended bill, introduced on Tuesday, would not allow any Russian president to face a court case, and his family would not be prosecuted for any crime. The bill has the support of all Russian leaders. The bill passed easily in both houses of the Russian parliament. Although the law places serious offenses and treason cases in the category of exceptions, former presidents could be prosecuted in this situation.

Under the new law, former presidents will have a lifetime seat in the Senate, so they will be free from court proceedings for life even after leaving office. Russia's only former president, Dmitry Medvedev, is alive at the moment and will benefit from the new law along with Putin. Medvedev is an ally of current President Putin. The assets of former presidents cannot be confiscated under the new bill.

This is part of a constitutional referendum agreed in July this year. It also says Putin will remain president until 2036, meaning Putin will still have two terms. Putin, 68, is due to end his fourth term in 2024, but will be able to complete two more six-year terms once the constitution is amended. Putin has been in power since 2000.