Russian businesses banned from creating 'private armies'

Russian businesses are barred from forming their own security departments under a law that came into force on Tuesday, the Rossiiskaya Gazeta government daily said.

Under the new law, companies may only conclude contracts with private registered security firms.

However, some companies, including state and strategic corporations, will be able to create their own security agencies with the permission of the Interior Ministry.

The law is aimed at curbing criminal acts by members of companies' security departments.

MOSCOW, March 2 (RIA Novosti)