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RIA Novosti
In the state Duma the bill expanding the possibilities for political asylum in Russia. The document is available in the database of the lower house of Parliament on Thursday, April 13.
According to the draft law, political asylum will be able to citizens of countries which have visa-free regime with Russia. “The presence of a visa-free regime with Russia can not defend opponents of the regime in the country from political persecution”, — stated in the explanatory note to the document.
In addition, a similar status will be able to claim the citizens of the countries with developed democratic institutions.
Currently, political asylum in Russia, is not available to residents of States that have with the Russian Federation visa-free regime or are developed from the point of view of democracy and protection of human rights.
Under current legislation, this status is available to individuals who are persecuted for his public activities and beliefs if their actions or views are not contrary to international law. The Russian foreign Ministry prepares annually a list of countries with the developed and settled democratic institutes in the field of protection of human rights, the document is closed.
American Edward Snowden in August 2013 received in Russia, temporary shelter, and a year later — a three-year residence permit. 18 January, his residence permit was extended for another two years. In 2014, his lawyer Anatoly Kucherena said that Snowden never asked for political asylum in Russia.