The deputies propose to introduce penalties of up to six years in prison for stealing electricity
MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. State Duma deputies from “United Russia” Mikhail Starshinov and gadjimet Safaraliev sent for approval to the government and the Supreme court of the Russian Federation a draft law which proposes to introduce a punishment of up to six years imprisonment for theft of electricity from the facility power grid.
As explained to journalists Starshinov, the current version of the relevant paragraph of article 158 of the Criminal code of the Russian Federation reglamentary punishment including theft from a pipeline, oil pipeline, gas pipeline. “We believe that these same acts should be equated to the theft of the object of power grid facilities, he said. — This will allow to eliminate existing legal gap”.
In the case of an amendment theft of electricity shall be punished by a fine in the amount from 100 thousand to 500 thousand rubles or the salary or other income of the convicted person for a period of one year to three years, or compulsory works for a term of up to five years with restriction of liberty for a term up to 1.5 years or without such, or by deprivation of liberty for a term up to six years with a fine in the amount up to 80 thousand rubles or the salary or other income of the convicted person for a period up to six months or without such and with restriction of liberty for a term up to 1.5 years or without it.
According to him, the necessity of making amendments connected with the frequent cases of theft of electricity, which not only leads to significant losses of companies operating in the field of supply of electricity, but also involves the issues of safety at electric grid facilities. “And this, in turn, directly affects the lives and security of our citizens”, — said the Deputy.
At the same time, the politician noted, the bill stipulates that those who voluntarily report the crime in full and will reimburse the damage, can be exempted from criminal liability. “This rule will help to balance the regulatory system responsibility and will lead to a partial decriminalization of the article”, he said.