Jessica Golloher
VOANews
July 1, 2010
- A d v e r t i s e m e n t
- {openx:49}
Russia’s parliament is considering a new law that would extend the powers of the country’s secret security agency, the FSB. If the bill is passed, it would restore practices once associated with the infamous KGB. Russia’s security services have steadily regained power and influence under Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, himself a former KGB officer. Human rights advocates are concerned that the new measures could further curtail the rights of government critics and the independent media.
The KGB was one of the most feared instruments of the Kremlin during the Soviet Union and viewed by many as the world’s most effective information gathering organization. It’s successor organization, the FSB is engaged mostly in domestic affairs and its powers have been steadily growing. The current government-backed legislation would allow FSB officers to summon individuals for informal talks and issue written warnings about forbidden participation in anti-government activities such as protest rallies – even if they have not violated the law.
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