MOSCOW, April 24 (RAPSI) – The Federal Chamber of Lawyers has endorsed a bill permitting suspects to be defended in courts by their close relatives.

Under the draft law, a person may be allowed to defend interests of a close relative alongside a lawyer upon a prosecutor’s or a court order. Suspects also get a right to request a specific person to defend their interests as well.

Currently, these rights are reserved for defendants but not suspects.

According to the Federal Chamber of Lawyers, the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code submitted to the State Duma are aimed at hardening of the line of defense at early stages of criminal proceedings.

President of the Federal Chamber of Lawyers Yury Pilipenko believes that the bill will equalize suspects and accused persons in rights. Moreover, these people will receive a chance to exercise the right to defense by their relatives starting pre-litigation stage that may strengthen the line of defense during investigation.

The bill is also the expression of humanism towards prosecuted persons, the press release reads.

However, the bill requires correcting, according to the statement. Lawyers said that the limits of prosecutors’ authorities must be specified and submitted their draft proposals.