Russia lowers sabotage liability age to 14 under new security law

Russia’s State Duma has approved a law lowering the age at which individuals can be held criminally responsible for sabotage to 14.

The legislation was introduced to the Duma on October 20 and received unanimous approval in its second and third readings on November 11, with 419 of 450 deputies co-sponsoring the bill, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Under the new amendments to the Criminal Code, the age threshold for prosecution for sabotage is now 14, aligning it with existing provisions for certain terrorist offences.

The law also introduces penalties of up to life imprisonment for “encouraging minors to engage in sabotage” and “involving minors in terrorist activity.”

Additionally, the legislation removes statutes of limitation for all sabotage-related crimes. Those accused of participating in sabotage networks will no longer be eligible for suspended sentences, and convicted individuals will face restrictions on parole applications.

State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said the law was adopted “in the interests of citizens and the security of the country” and aimed “to protect the younger generation from the influence of foreign intelligence services seeking to involve them in acts of sabotage.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev