MOSCOW, July 5 (RAPSI) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law toughening criminal liability for corruption-related crimes, according to Presidential press-service.

The law was passed by the State Duma on June 17 and was approved by the Federation Council on June 29.

Under the law, cases when people funnel money or property not directly to an official but to another individual or company on the official’s instruction would be regarded as crimes.

Criminal liability is proposed for commercial bribery mediation.

The law in particularly introduces punishment for bribery in amount of up to 10,000 rubles ($150). According to the Kremlin, from 2012 to 2015, the overwhelming majority of corruption cases were opened over bribes not exceeding 10,000 rubles.

The law also toughens criminal penalty for minor corruption offences committed by a person who had been earlier convicted for such crimes. This measure is aimed to prevent repetition of crimes.

The legislation is expected to boost efficiency of corruption-related crime prevention, according to an explanatory note to the bill.