MOSCOW. Nov 7 (Interfax-AVN) - The State Duma passed on Friday a bill on countering corruption, a basic bill in the presidential package of four legal initiatives.
The bill introduces a system of measures to combat corruption. It also defines the notion 'corruption' as "the abuse of office and powers, bribery or any other illegal use of office by an individual, regardless of legal interests of the state and public, in order to gain profit, such as money, valuables or any other property or material services for himself or for other individuals or the illegal provision of such profit to an individual by other individuals."
The bill also stipulates basic principles of fighting corruption, including through coordinated activity of federal, regional and local authorities and civil society to prevent corruption and prosecute corruptionists.
According to the bill, the president can establish a coordinating body for countering corruption.
The goal of the proposed measures is "to create the atmosphere in which corruption will be disadvantageous," presidential representative in the Duma Alexander Kosopkin told MPs presenting the bill.