Russia's Putin Approves Tougher Anti-Terrorism Laws Ahead Of 2014 Sochi Olympics

Russian President Vladimir Putin "has signed off on tougher anti-terrorism laws" ahead of the 2014 Sochi Olympics that "could oblige relatives to pay for any damage caused by militants fighting a separatist campaign in southern Russia," according to Gabriela Baczynska of REUTERS. The new law, which Putin signed Saturday, introduces prison terms of up to 10 years for undergoing training "aimed at carrying out terrorist activity." The law says, "Compensation for damage...caused as a result of a terrorist act is covered... with the means of the person that committed a terrorist act, and also the means of close relatives, relatives and close acquaintances if... they obtained money, valuables and other property as a result of terrorist activity." The law, originally proposed to the parliament by the Kremlin, also "allows for the seizure of property of relatives and close acquaintances of suspected militants if they fail to provide documents proving their rightful acquisition" (REUTERS, 11/3).