MOSCOW. June 4 (Interfax-AVN) - The State Duma on Wednesday passed in the second reading a bill "On declaring an amnesty in connection with the adoption of the Constitution of the Chechen Republic" in a 300-2 vote with one abstention.
In line with the amendments approved on Wednesday, members of illegal armed formations must voluntarily hand over weapons or military hardware by September 1, 2003 to be granted amnesty.
This document will apply to persons who committed publicly dangerous deeds during the armed conflict and (or) the antiterrorist operations conducted in the territory of the former Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Republic from December 12, 1993 to the day the amnesty takes effect.
The amnesty also extends to military servicemen and members of other security agencies.
Chairman of the Duma legislation committee Pavel Krasheninnikov said that, although not a single case of genocide has been opened at the moment, such crimes will not be subject to amnesty.
The amnesty will also not apply to people who have committed certain serious crimes, including recidivists, and to foreign and stateless persons.