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Russian Amnesty Bill Could Free Pussy Riot and Greenpeace Defendants Amnesty Bill In Russia Could Free Activists
(about 3 hours later)
MOSCOW — An amnesty bill that seemed to promise freedom for defendants in some of Russia’s most politically charged criminal cases passed the lower house of Parliament on Wednesday. The two jailed members of the punk protest group Pussy Riot and the 30 Greenpeace demonstrators arrested at an Arctic offshore oil rig appeared to be among those likely to receive amnesty.MOSCOW — An amnesty bill that seemed to promise freedom for defendants in some of Russia’s most politically charged criminal cases passed the lower house of Parliament on Wednesday. The two jailed members of the punk protest group Pussy Riot and the 30 Greenpeace demonstrators arrested at an Arctic offshore oil rig appeared to be among those likely to receive amnesty.
The bill was initiated by President Vladimir V. Putin and passed swiftly through the State Duma, the lower house of Parliament. The full text of the bill was not made public before the voting; it was scheduled to be printed in state outlets on Thursday. The bill is expected to grant amnesty to as many as 25,000 prisoners, including those charged with hooliganism, which would appear to include both Pussy Riot and the Greenpeace demonstrators. The bill was initiated by President Vladimir V. Putin and passed swiftly through the State Duma, the lower house of Parliament. The full text of the bill was not made public before the voting; it was scheduled to be printed in state outlets on Thursday. The bill is expected to grant amnesty to as many as 25,000 prisoners, including those charged with hooliganism, which would seem to include Pussy Riot and the Greenpeace demonstrators.
The amnesty is seen as a way for Mr. Putin to move those two prosecutions, which have attracted wide criticism abroad, out of the spotlight before the Winter Olympics begin in Sochi, Russia, in February. There has been speculation that some world leaders were considering staying away from the Games because of concerns over Russia’s record on human rights.The amnesty is seen as a way for Mr. Putin to move those two prosecutions, which have attracted wide criticism abroad, out of the spotlight before the Winter Olympics begin in Sochi, Russia, in February. There has been speculation that some world leaders were considering staying away from the Games because of concerns over Russia’s record on human rights.
Mr. Putin said this month in a meeting with Russia’s human rights ombudsman and a presidential adviser on human rights that the amnesty bill “should have a conciliatory effect, and should underscore our country’s humane approach,” though he warned that it would not apply to repeat offenders. Mr. Putin said this month in a meeting with Russia’s human rights ombudsman and a presidential adviser on human rights that the amnesty bill “should have a conciliatory effect, and should underscore our country’s humane approach.”
The original bill, submitted by Mr. Putin last week, sought to release pregnant women or women with young children, elderly convicts, victims of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, war veterans and others convicted of minor crimes. Amendments to the bill widened its scope to include defendants accused or convicted of committing hooliganism or participating in mass protests.The original bill, submitted by Mr. Putin last week, sought to release pregnant women or women with young children, elderly convicts, victims of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, war veterans and others convicted of minor crimes. Amendments to the bill widened its scope to include defendants accused or convicted of committing hooliganism or participating in mass protests.
That provision would cover some people who were arrested after an anti-Putin rally in Moscow last May that descended into pitched battles between police officers and protesters. But most of those arrested were charged with inciting mass rioting or attacking police officers, and would not receive amnesty under the bill.That provision would cover some people who were arrested after an anti-Putin rally in Moscow last May that descended into pitched battles between police officers and protesters. But most of those arrested were charged with inciting mass rioting or attacking police officers, and would not receive amnesty under the bill.
A lawyer for the two Pussy Riot members, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, said she expected the women to be released quickly. They have already served most of their two-year sentences for reciting a “punk prayer” against Mr. Putin in Moscow’s largest cathedral in 2012. A lawyer for the two Pussy Riot members, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, said she expected the women to be released quickly. They have already served most of their two-year sentences for reciting a “punk prayer” against Mr. Putin in Moscow’s largest cathedral last year.
“They will get out tomorrow or the day after,” said Irina Khrunova, the lawyer. “If it’s published, they have the right to leave.” Leaders of Greenpeace said they were cautiously optimistic that prosecutors would drop the charges against the group’s members, who are free on bail while awaiting trial.
Leaders of Greenpeace said they were cautiously optimistic that prosecutors would drop the charges against the group’s members, who are free on bail awaiting trial in a St. Petersburg court. “But before having the material on paper, it is hard to be sure,” said Ivan Blokov, the Greenpeace Russia program director.
“From what was heard, it was quite likely that all 30 members would fall under the amnesty,” said Ivan Blokov, the Greenpeace Russia program director. “But before having the material on paper, it is hard to be sure.” The bill would not cover some of Mr. Putin’s most vocal political opponents, including Aleksei A. Navalny, the opposition blogger turned mayoral candidate who was convicted of embezzlement and given a five-year sentence in July that was suspended.
The bill would not cover some of Mr. Putin’s most vocal political challengers, including Aleksei A. Navalny, the opposition blogger turned mayoral candidate who was convicted of embezzlement and given a five-year sentence in July that was suspended.
Neither will it free Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky, the former oil baron who publicly challenged Mr. Putin and has been imprisoned since 2003, first on fraud and tax evasion charges and later on new charges of embezzlement and money laundering. Russian prosecutors have said that they are likely to file new charges against Mr. Khodorkovsky before his scheduled release next year. Amnesty International has declared him a prisoner of conscience.

Patrick Reevell contributed reporting.

Patrick Reevell contributed reporting.