Russian President Vladimir Putin today signed a bill that will give the outgoing president a lifetime seat in the Bundestag, guaranteeing him lifelong immunity after he leaves office.
The law, announced online today, will give the outgoing president and his family lifelong immunity from prosecution for crimes and from questioning by police or investigators, AFP reported.
The law is part of a constitutional amendment passed this summer. Russia held a referendum this summer on a constitutional amendment that would allow Putin, now 68, to remain president until 2036.
Until then, Russia’s outgoing president had immunity from prosecution only for crimes committed during his term in office.
Currently Russia’s outgoing president can still be stripped of his immunity if charged with treason or other felonies, as decided by the Supreme Court or Constitutional Court.
However, the bill signed by Putin today would give the outgoing president a lifetime seat on the Federation Council, a move that would guarantee his immunity after he leaves office.
The pending bill sparked rumors last month that Putin was planning to step down due to ill health, which the Kremlin denied.
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