08.12.08

The State Duma has passed a bill at second reading Wednesday that tightens control over the activities of private security structures and hardens requirements to private security enterprises and private detective agencies.

The bill, drafted on the instructions of the president and the Russian government, rules out a possibility of giving a status of a private security guard to persons with the past criminal record, and enforces an obligatory fingerprint procedure.

The bill bans participation of foreign companies in the activities for ensuring security on the Russian territory, except negotiated cases.

The new bill introduces a special order of acquisition of firearms that should be acquired from Interior bodies and for temporary use only.

Special requirements have been introduced to licensed activities of private security structures that ensure order in places of mass gatherings and safety of important life-support facilities.

The bill restricts the activities of private security structures in areas of counter- terrorist operations.

An important clause of the new bill envisages tightening administrative and criminal responsibility of members of private security enterprises and detectives for violations at work. Responsibility will be personified with a concrete worker, rather than a whole private security structure, called to account.

First Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Chekalin said, presenting the bill at first reading, that the bill aims to ensure to a maximum extent the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens and juridical entities and defend their interests.

Chekalin expressed concern over persistent efforts made by foreign secret services to achieve broader access of foreign security structures into the Russian Federation for purposes of monopolization of the security market, intrusion into structures with closed regime in detriment to Russia's national interests and security.

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Source: Itar-Tass