MOSCOW, October 21 (RAPSI) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill dealing with jurisdictional considerations for crimes committed abroad by Russian citizens or involving Russians as victims. The document was published Monday on the federal government website for legal information.

The law amends the Criminal Code and stipulates that if a given crime was committed abroad, and the pre-trial investigation was conducted in Russia, the case will be considered by the Russian court in the victim's place of residence even if the victim lives or resides outside of Russia.

Cases initiated by the claims of Russian citizens against their compatriots that address felonies committed outside of Russia will be considered by a Russian magistrate court either in the accused or victim's place of residence.

On October 16, the bill was approved by Russia's upper house of parliament.