This week, the Russian parliament’s legislative committee rubber-stamped a bill granting former presidents lifelong immunity from prosecution. According to the proposal by members of Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, a former president cannot be indicted on criminal or administrative charges, detained, arrested or searched — and the same status would apply to his residence, communications and documents. This all-encompassing immunity can only be overturned by agreement of the supreme and constitutional courts as well as two-thirds of the vote in both houses of parliament. In other words, it would be practically impossible.
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Vladimir Kara-Murza: Putin’s biggest fear is to be held accountable for his crimes
Russian President Vladimir Putin watches a live broadcast of the ceremony to load the liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker Coral Anthelia at the Cryogas LNG plant located in the port of Vysotsk, on April 24, 2019 in Saint Petersburg.
