MOSCOW. Nov 20 (Interfax) - Mikhail Fedotov, head of the Russian presidential human rights council, believes the idea of restoring the death penalty for terrorism in Russia is a populist one.
"For a jihadist suicide bomber, the threat of the death penalty is as laughable as the threat of torture for a masochist," Fedotov told Interfax on Friday.
A Just Russia leader Sergei Mironov on Friday suggested resuming the use of the death penalty as an exception for terrorist crimes.
"I am totally against this proposal. It contradicts the legal position of the Constitutional Court and the president's position on this issue, which has been stated several times," Fedotov said.
"I believe such proposals are clear populism before federal elections," Fedotov said, referring to Mironov's initiative.
"It would lead to Russia's expulsion from the Council of Europe, which is also unacceptable," Fedotov said.