Russian lawmakers vote to restore Federal Security Service’s right to operate its own jails

Russia’s State Duma has passed legislation that officially restores the Federal Security Service’s authority to operate its own pretrial detention facilities. Deputy Vasily Piskarev, who cosponsored the bill, said the agency, known as the FSB, will jail defendants charged with “crimes against state security,” isolating “suspected spies and terrorists” from other inmates to prevent unauthorized contact. 

“Additionally, it will help prevent attempts by foreign intelligence services and terrorist organizations to establish contact with their agents, obstruct investigations, and involve them in further subversive activities,” Piskarev stated.

Russia formally stripped the FSB of the right to operate its own detention centers in 2006 as a condition of joining the Council of Europe. However, as journalists at Mediazona note, the agency retained control over several detention facilities, including the infamous Lefortovo Prison in Moscow, which neighbors the FSB’s investigative department building.