Anti-Corruption Laws

New laws have been introduced to combat corruption.

Corruption either involves the giving or taking of bribes or it

involves actions by officials abusing their position or power which

both damage the lawful interests of society or the state and are

aimed at obtaining profits (including valuables, property, property

services or property rights). It can be committed by companies

where the corrupt activities take place on their behalf or in their

interests.

Under the new laws, independent organisations are responsible

for ensuring that legal instruments and drafts do not contain any

corrupt mechanisms.

State officials now face dismissal if they fail to report their

income, property and liabilities (and that of their spouse and

under-age children) or if they fail to report an attempt to corrupt

them. Conflicts of interest have also been banned and a mechanism

to resolve them introduced.

State officials also need to receive a good reference when

applying for new positions, and to disclose to new employers any

previous positions held in the public service within the previous

two years.

Separate legislation has also imposed a ban on state officials

receiving gifts in cash or in kind, except those up to RUR 3000 (c.

US$90) received at protocol events, official events or on official

business trips. All other gifts automatically become state

property. State officials may also buy back presents received on

protocol events.

The rules for state officials apply to anyone holding a

professional post in a federal state service or a regional state

civil service who is paid out of the federal or regional budget.

There is no public register of the names and positions of state

officials, although there is a publicly-available list of job

titles for state officials as well as confidential lists of civil

servants' names and other personal details kept by each state

body.

From 1 July 2009, courts will also be required to be more

transparent about their activities. This includes posting on the

internet general information about the court, its structure and

powers as well as details of court rules, laws regulating its

activities and any instructions for keeping records of court

proceedings. Case information must also be published,

including:

the title, subject and status of each matter

hearing dates and appeal procedures

transcripts of court orders immediately after being adopted

(except those relating to state security, adoption, sexual

offences, limiting legal...