MOSCOW, January 30 (RAPSI) – A Just Russia party has filed a bill proposing that unrestricted photography and filming should be permitted in open court hearings without prior approval.

The bill has been forwarded to the State Duma.

A memorandum connected with the bill states that the current legislation only permits unrestricted audio recording and written transcriptions of court proceedings. Photography and filming is only possible with the permission of the court or authorized agencies.

“We propose allowing trial participants to take photographs and to film hearings without court permission,” said MP Oleg Mikheyev (A Just Russia). “The use of modern technology will not interfere with court proceedings. Moreover, we have now accumulated considerable experience in filming and live broadcasts of high-profile hearings, for example RAPSI’s online live coverage.”

The lawmaker believes that the bill’s approval will increase the transparency of criminal and civil case hearings and commercial disputes, as well as administrative offenses.