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Putin Signs Tough Antiterrorism Laws Ahead Of Sochi Olympics


Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach (left front) exit a commuter train at a newly built railway station in Sochi on October 28.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach (left front) exit a commuter train at a newly built railway station in Sochi on October 28.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a series of strict counterterrorism laws ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The legislation could oblige relatives and acquaintances of militants to pay for damage caused by terrorist attacks in southern Russia.

According to the Kremlin's legal website, Putin signed legislation over the weekend that imposes prison terms of up to 10 years for those who receive training "aimed at carrying out terrorist activity."

The legislation says "compensation for damage...caused as a result of a terrorist act is covered...with the means of the person that committed a terrorist act, and also the means of close relatives, relatives and close acquaintances."

The law also allows for the seizure of property of relatives and close acquaintances of suspected militants.

Based on reporting by Reuters, Interfax, and ITAR-TASS

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