Duma Passes Tougher Antiterrorism Bill

Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers participate in counterterrorism exercises in the seaport of Kaliningrad.

Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament, has passed new legislation that toughens penalties for involvement in terrorism, including imposing punishments on relatives of terrorists.

The bill requires terrorists' relatives to pay for damages, including moral damages, caused by attacks.

The bill also stiffens prison terms for those who go abroad to train at terrorist camps, participate in attacks, or send funds or materials for terrorist acts with sentences ranging from five to 20 years, depending on the person's involvement.

Relatives who came forward to report kin who are training at terrorist camps outside Russia or provided information leading to their capture would be exempt from penalties.

The Duma unanimously passed the bill, which now goes to the Senate and then to President Vladimir Putin for signing.

Putin proposed the bill.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and AP