Vladimir Putin signs new law permitting FSB to open fire on disabled people and children
Russian media report the amendment was sharply opposed by the President's own human rights advisers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Vladimir Putin has signed through a new anti-terror law allowing members of the security forces to open fire on women and children, according to Russian media reports.
State-linked Sputnik International described the amendment to rules governing the use of force by the Federal Security Service (FSB) as outlining “when weapons may be used, first and foremost, when protecting the lives or health of individuals”.
It reported that intelligence agents would be permitted to take fingerprints on state borders and carry out searches of any property if there are suspicions of terror activity.
And the FSB’s agents can now open fire in crowds if doing so will “prevent acts of terrorism, rescue hostages, or repel attacks on public buildings”.
The amendment to the law reportedly included 11 scenarios in which the use of weapons by intelligence forces would be permitted.
It included the right to shoot women, the disabled and minors “in case of armed resistance” and, according to Ekho Moskvy radio, the use of nonlethal weapons on pregnant women.
The change to the law was reportedly strongly opposed by Putin’s own Presidential Human Rights Council, an advisory panel made up of NGO chiefs and activists.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments