MOSCOW, March 15 - RAPSI. The State Duma Commission on Parliamentary Ethics will consider on March 20 allegations that State Duma lawmaker and opposition figure Dmitry Gudkov recently urged the US to influence corrupt Russian officials, acting commission head Andrei Andreyev told reporters Friday.

Media reported earlier this month that Gudkov traveled to the United States to speak at a forum sponsored by the Freedom House human rights organization. During the event, he urged US politicians to try to positively influence corrupt officials in Russia, including State Duma deputies.

Meanwhile, A Just Russia leader Sergei Mironov said he was not aware of Gudkov's trip before the media reports.

Deputy Speaker Sergei Zheleznyak stated earlier that the letter to the commission was signed by representatives of the four parliamentary parties, including Liberal Democrat Igor Lebedev, Communist Oleg Denisenko, and A Just Russia's Svetlana Goryacheva. The representatives, he noted, are concerned by "Gudkov's calls for US politicians to interfere in Russia's internal affairs."

Gudkov may face a penalty as stipulated by the State Duma's rules of conduct, Andreyev said. He may be required to make a formal apology or will receive a reprimand. Furthermore, he may be stripped of his right to speak in parliament.

The letter was signed by individual deputies - and not parliamentary parties - as the Duma regulations require complaints to be lodged by individuals, Andreyev said.
Earlier, the bureau of the supreme council of A Just Russia has voted to expell Dmitry and his father, former MP Gennady Gudkov stripped of his mandate last year, from the party.The bureau considered their participation in the protest against the Dima Yakovlev Law banning adoptions of Russian children by US parents on January 13 inappropriate and recommended that other party members refrain from similar campaigns.

The State Duma stripped Gennady Gudkov of his mandate last year after the investigative authorities accused him of engaging in commercial activities - a violation of a law on a legislator's activities. According to current Russian legislation, deputies are not permitted to be involved in business.

Gudkov, who took part in the protest rallies last December, has denied the charges.