Putin signs law allowing police to enter apartments and open cars
Photo: Irina Buzhor / Kommersant
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law expanding the powers of the police. The corresponding document was published on the official portal of legal information.
We are talking about amendments to the law “On Police”.
According to the amendments, police officers will be able to enter housing and other premises, land plots and territories for detention, as well as cordon off them. In addition, they received the right to introduce themselves to the detainee after the termination of his illegal actions.
Also, the law was supplemented with article 15.1 “Vehicle opening”. The police can open a car if it is required to save someone's life, ensure the safety of citizens during riots or emergencies, with the threat of a terrorist attack or to detain suspects. In addition, the police can do this if there is a suspicion that the driver is drunk or carries prohibited items. In the second case, the presence of the owner of the car is not necessary – the law enforcement officer only has to notify him of this within 24 hours and, after opening, protect the car from strangers.
The amendments were approved by the State Duma and the Federation Council earlier in December.
