MOSCOW, February 2 (RAPSI) – A bill proposing to suspend officials from holding positions if they are suspected of criminal activity has reached the State Duma, RIA Novosti reported on Tuesday.

The bill was submitted by the Parliament of Bashkiria and the Russian lawmaker Rafael Mardanshin.

According to Russian legislation, official may be removed from his position only if this person is a defendant and only if a court rules on his suspension.