MOSCOW, December 24. The Russian authorities do not intend to “tighten the screws” to infinity and to expand the powers of intelligence agencies. In the first reading in the state Duma adopted legislative amendments that expand their powers only in terms of increasing the effectiveness of the fight against terrorism. On December 24, said the speaker of the Federation Council of Russia Valentina Matvienko at the press-conference devoted to the termination of autumn session of the chamber.
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“Disturbing questions remain: will crackdown, will there be any cost infinitely expanded rights of law enforcement agencies? I want these alarms to dispel: that’s impossible, nothing is planned,” she said, adding that in the first reading in the state Duma has already adopted a number of changes and additions that enhance the powers of the special services “only to the extent necessary to increase the efficiency of the fight against terror.” “Because the lives and safety of citizens”, – said the speaker.
“We will not accept any legislation, no amendments which would be contrary to the Constitution, which will limit fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, which will give the slightest grounds to speak about violation of the norms of a legal, democratic state”, she concluded.
