Lifetime immunity bill signed into law: Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill that will give all former Russian presidents sweeping new powers past their presidency as well as grant them and their families lifetime immunity from prosecutions.

Putin, first elected Russia’s president in 2000, has served longer than any Russian or Soviet politician since the early 1950s [File: AFP]

Former presidents have for years already been entitled to immunity from prosecution for crimes committed while in office, but what the new law does is extend that and issue protection for actions taken out of civil service.

In addition to that, the law also allows former presidents to become senators for life in the country's upper house of Parliament, as well as give them sweeping powers to name up to 30 senators to the Federation Council.

The most controversial aspect of the law however is the extension of presidential term limits. The constitutional amendment allows presidents to run for office for four six-year-terms, which critics see as a strategic move by Putin to remain in power until 2036 instead of 2024, the year he was scheduled to step down.

Meaning, if the 68-year-old runs for re-election and wins, by the time he leaves office, he would have held the position for more than 20 years, leaving at the age of 80.

By: Niza Nondo