MOSCOW. April 3 (Interfax) - Russia will tighten criminal liability for breaking the rules on handling dangerous viruses and toxins by amending the Criminal Code, Chairman of the State Duma Security Committee Vasily Piskaryov said.
"Given the new threats and challenges facing us, those who smuggle pathogenic bio-organisms - viruses, microorganisms, toxins and biological agents developed through genetic manipulations and bio-synthesis into Russia will spend up to 12 years in prison," Piskaryov told reporters on Wednesday.
The penalty for breaking the rules of handing pathogenic bio-organisms will also be tightened with up to eight years in prison, while an alternative penalty, up to five years of compulsory labor, will be introduced, he said.
"The adoption of this bill will help strengthen national security," Piskaryov said.
The bill's authors include members of the State Duma's inter-faction working group for biological security Irina Yarovaya, Andrei Kartapolov, Badma Bashankayev, Sergei Kabyshev and Ernest Baleyev, Piskaryov said. The amendments will be submitted to the State Duma in the near future, he said.