MOSCOW, September 24 (RAPSI) – The lower house of Russian parliament passed a bill prohibiting terrorism suspects from founding NGOs and participating in them in the first reading on Tuesday, a statement published on the State Duma website reads.

The bill was submitted by the Russian government in July. Amendments are expected to be added to the federal laws On social associations, On NGOs, On freedom of conscience and On religious associations.

Thus, under the draft law, individuals having their assets frozen because of terrorism allegations would be banned from being founders, participants or members of NGOs.

These amendments, according to the Cabinet of Ministers, would help additionally secure the nonprofit sector against its use for financing terrorist activities.