MOSCOW, June 20 (RAPSI) – Disclosure and unavoidability of criminal prosecution of corrupt officials is a principled stance of the state, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Corruption-related prosecutions must bear a public character and be carried to their conclusion, Putin said during a live broadcast nationwide phone-in on Thursday.

The President stressed that there are two responsible parties in corruption crimes: bribegivers and bribetakers. Officials stand high and therefore they are especially responsible in such cases, he added. However, Putin believes that life sentence is not reasonable punishment for corruption.