MOSCOW, September 11 (RAPSI) – The State Duma Committee on State Building and Legislation on Wednesday recommended that the MPs pass in the first reading a bill on criminal punishment for knowingly false expert findings, according to a statement released on the official website of the lower house of parliament.

According to the draft law, experts and specialists would face liability of up to 5 years in prison for false testimony, findings or incorrect translation on all stages of pretrial proceedings and trial.

Currently, such punishment is envisaged for false expert conclusions made during pretrial investigation in a criminal case and hearing in court (when the case is already opened).

However, the bill’s sponsor claim that testimony of experts or specialists, including forensic tests of victims, handwriting analysis, drug or explosive examination, are required also when a crime report is being checked to exclude absence or presence of elements of crime. False findings submitted by experts may led to illegal prosecution of an innocent person or illegal refusal to open a criminal case.