Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has approved amendments expanding the powers of the Federal Security Service (FSB) aimed at preventing crimes.
The security agency was given the right to issue official warnings to a person within 10 days after obtaining information that suggests he or she may be about to commit a crime.
For non-observance of FSB orders or hindering the agency from carrying out its official duties, Russians may face up to 15 days behind bars.
The amendments provoked strong controversy in Russia among the human righst activists. On the other hand, the initiators and the backers of the amendments said the new rules will allow combating terrorism more efficiently. The texts of the official FSB warnings will not be published in media.
Russia’s mainly Muslim North Caucasus republics, especially Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, have seen an upsurge of militant violence lately. Experts see the poor social and economic situation in the region as the main reason for the numerous terrorist attacks in the country.