New Russia anti-terror law makes terrorists relatives liable

The move comes as Russia is preparing to host the Winter Olympics in Sochi in February.

The lower house of Russian parliament Friday approved new legislation that toughens punishment for terrorism and requires terrorists relatives to pay for the damages caused in attacks.

The move comes as Russia is preparing to host the Winter Olympics in Sochi in February amid concerns about security threats posed by an Islamic insurgency that has raged across the North Caucasus region.

The bill,quickly passed by the State Duma in a unanimous vote,is expected to see a similarly swift approval in the upper house and be signed by President Vladimir Putin to become law.

The legislation says training for terrorist activities,something which isnt spelled out in the current law,is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. At the same time,it envisages that those involved in such training would be absolved of any punishment if they report it to the authorities.

For the first time,the new bill makes relatives of a terrorist responsible for paying damages resulting from an attack.

The bill also made it easier for law enforcement agencies to prosecute suspected terrorists. The current law requires authorities to turn to Russias high court to declare a group of militants a terrorist organization,while the new law leaves it for a local court where suspects are on trial to determine that.

It also introduces a punishment of up to six years for those participating in a militant group abroad.

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The measure appears to be a response to Russian nationals fighting alongside rebels in Syria. Russian officials have voiced concern that they may launch attacks at home when they return.

Security experts have said the insurgency that has spread across the North Caucasus after two separatists wars in Chechnya,poses a potential threat to Putins pet project,even though Russia has pledged to make the games the safest Olympics in history.

Last summer,a top Chechen rebel warlord called on militants to disrupt the Sochi Games,which he described as satanic dances on the bones of our ancestors.