MOSCOW, July 3 (RIA Novosti) – Legislation to pardon first-time violators of financial laws will come into effect on Thursday, state newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reported.
About 100,000 people are expected to be eligible for the amnesty, applicable to first-time offenders who provide compensation for inflicted financial losses and whose crimes did not involve the use of violence.
The legislation received final approval by Russia’s lower house of parliament on Tuesday. It is an exclusive prerogative that does not require approval by the upper house or President Vladimir Putin’s signature.
About two weeks ago, Putin called for the lower house to pardon first-time white-collar criminals before it recessed for summer vacation on July 14. He said the measure would strengthen entrepreneurial initiative.
