Anti-Corruption Law Passed

The cornerstone of President Dmitry Medvedev's anti-corruption legislative package has been passed this week by Parliament. Among harsher punishments and more stringent regulations is a rule that cuts the limit on the price of gifts received by officials from 5,000 rubles to 3,000 rubles.
The law "On Measures Against Corruption" passed the lower chamber of Parliament, the State Duma, last week, and was ratified by the upper chamber, the Federation Council, on Monday. The law amends a series of other laws, including those regulating the police, the prosecution, and the Federal Security Service. The Criminal Procedural Code has also undergone changes that make it easier to bring corrupt judges, deputies and other officials to justice, with special measures outlined against those alleged of taking advantage of their position.
Punishment for corruption and fraud has also become more stringent. The maximum jail term for managers of commercial companies who unlawfully use their position to further their own gain or harm others has been increased from three years to four.
Meanwhile, the status of a number of officials - including judges, parliamentarians, treasury officials and others has been changed. Stricter limitations have been imposed on re­gulations on who can become a judge, for instance. A potential judge has to be a Russian citizen who has not been convicted of any crimes, is not under investigation, and has not been rehabilitated for crimes committed in the past. He must not have citizenship in a foreign country or be registered as an outpatient with any psychiatric or drug clinic.
Also, stricter rules regulating the gifts officials can receive have been implemented. Now, a gift can cost no more than 3,000 rubles ($103). Before the law was passed, the limit was 5,000 rubles ($172). According Vladimir Pligin, head of the State Duma Committee on Constitutional Legi­slation and State Building, the best gift will now be a bottle of vodka. "One that costs less than 3,000 rubles," RIA Novosti quoted him as saying.
President Medvedev has taken a tough stance on corruption and what he calls "legal nihilism," making it his top priority upon his inauguration in May.