Russia parliament votes to strengthen KGB successor

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more: http://www.kyivpost.com/news/russia/detail/69373/

Russia parliament votes to strengthen KGB successor

Today at 16:55 | Reuters MOSCOW, June 11 (Reuters) - Russia's parliament on Friday voted to boost the powers of the successor to the Soviet KGB, allowing it to summon people it believes are about to commit a crime and threaten jail for those who disobey its orders.

Rights groups said the proposed regulations could be used by the FSB security service to detain opposition activists and independent journalists and undermine President Dmitry Medvedev's promises to foster civil rights.

"It's a step toward a police state," said Vladimir Ulas, a member of the opposition Communist Party. "It is effectively a ban on any real opposition activity."


Read more: http://www.kyivpost.com/news/russia/detail/69373/#ixzz0qYzDWfix