MOSCOW, July 14 (RAPSI) – A bill on tough sentence of up to 15 years in prison for torture became law after it was signed by President of Russia Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

The document defines tortures as actions aimed at the intimidation of an individual or forcing a person to commit certain actions.

The law recategorizes tortures committed by officials as extremely serious crimes punishable by imprisonment for up to 12 years. 

Moreover, it fixes prison terms ranging from 3 to 10 years for abuse of power committed with the use of force or threat of violence, armed abuse of office or resulted in the grave circumstances, including actions against minors. The same actions accompanied by tortures will be punished with jail terms varying from 4 to 12 years with the deprivation of a right to hold certain posts for up to 10 years.

The document also introduces prison sentence of up to 15 years with the prohibition to hold specified posts for up to 20 years for tortures resulted in the death of a victim by negligence or causing harm which endangers life. 

Amendments are to be introduced in the Criminal Code of Russia.