Russian Federation: Lower House passes a new anti-terrorism bill

After President Putin issued a decree establishing a new anti-terrorism body headed by the Director of the Federal Security Service on 16 February, the Russian lower House of Parliament subsequently approved a new anti-terrorism bill to give effect to the decree. The bill defines terrorist acts, regulates the use of armed forces to counter terrorism, and gives the authorities extensive control and surveillance powers under the “state of emergency” and “anti-terrorism operations” regimes set out in the bill. The bill will go to the upper House and the President for final approval.